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The Department of Health and Human Services will soon open a new Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Lincoln.
The new Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center is located inside the Lancaster County Youth Services Center. However, youth in the state’s program will be in separate programs from those in county detention.
The new center will house up to 9 girls and 11 boys between the ages of 14 and 19. These teens will be transferred from the youth facility in Kearney.
The facility includes a day-room. (Photo courtesy DHHS)
DHHS plans for the new center to be “trauma-focused and informed.” It will differ from the Kearney center in its ability to provide one-on-one care to teens.
Dannette Smith is CEO of the Nebraska department of Health and Human Services. She said programming will help kids with their mental and behavioral health.
“My team and I have developed a program that allows us to not only take care of those things that have to do with juvenile justice, but most importantly we’re taking care of their mental health,” Smith said.
In addition to one-on-one therapy, the facility will provide schooling and group counseling. Smith emphasized the importance of consistency in addressing children’s needs.
The YRTC will share library and gym space with the Lancaster County youth services center. Youth from the two programs will not use the spaces at the same time. (Photo courtesy DHHS)
“In order to have children live healthy, you’ve got to address the behavioral health needs when they’re young, and you need to do it consistently over time," Smith said. "So you can’t see a therapist here, stop, see a therapist there, stop, see group treatment, stop. You have to be able to have system for the child, but also for the family, because ultimately many of these kids return home.”
The facility has individual rooms, as opposed to the dormitory style used in Kearney.
DHHS plans to move children into the newly renovated facility in late February.