MEDIA CONTACT
Gillian Daniel, (402) 471-6585,
gillian.daniel@nebraska.gov
Lincoln, NE – Nebraska's Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers in Hastings (YRTC-Hastings) and Lincoln (YRTC-Lincoln) received their accreditation results from the American Correctional Association (ACA) audit.
YRTC-Hastings was found to be 100 percent compliant with mandatory ACA standards and 99.4 percent compliant with the non-mandatory standards.
YRTC-Lincoln was found to be 100 percent compliant with mandatory ACA standards and non-mandatory standards.
“I am proud of YRTC-Hastings Facility Administrator Camella Jacobe, YRTC-Lincoln Facility Administrator Sarah Brownell, Compliance Administrator Shaylee Fortner, and their teams for their hard work and effort to ensure this high level of compliance," said Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director of Facilities, Mark LaBouchardiere. “Their dedication and commitment to our mission of helping the youth in our facilities live better lives is truly inspiring."
This audit occurs every three years. In June 2025, a group of ACA auditors visited the YRTCs to review the mandatory and non-mandatory standards. The auditors review all the applicable standards and conduct private in-person interviews with randomly selected staff and youth to ensure the state's policies and procedures match operations and day-to-day practice.
“DHHS prioritizes the safety and quality of care of our youth in the YRTC facilities," said DHHS Director of Children and Families Services, Dr. Alyssa Bish. “A 99.4% score and a perfect 100% score from the ACA audit is a great example of our team's continued dedication to the youth we serve."