CONTACT
Collin Spilinek, (531) 739-7920,
collin.spilinek@nebraska.gov
Kearney – Nebraska's Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center-Kearney (YRTC-Kearney) earned a 100 percent compliance report from the national American Correctional Association (ACA), meeting all 350 of its standards.
“I'm extremely proud of the YRTC-Kearney and Office of Juvenile Services (OJS) Compliance team's hard work to ensure this level of compliance," said DHHS OJS Administrator Mark LaBouchardiere. “This accomplishment wouldn't have been possible without their commitment to the youth that the facility serves."
Originally founded in 1879, YRTC-Kearney offers evidence-based cognitive behavioral programming and mental health treatment services to juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18.
Every three years, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) YRTCs are accredited by the ACA per Nebraska State Statute 83-102. On June 5, three ACA certified auditors visited the YRTC-Kearney to review its 35 mandatory standards and 315 non-mandatory standards. The audit took place over 4 days and included an in-depth standards file review, tours on all three shifts, and extensive interviews with a few dozen randomly selected staff and youth to ensure that the policy and procedure of the facility matched its practices.
On August 12, the YRTC-Kearney and OJS compliance team had their scheduled ACA accreditation panel hearing in Philadelphia, PA and received a full 100% compliance report with all applicable 350 ACA standards.
“The team at YRTC-Kearney has been incredibly dedicated to providing safe, high-quality care," said Larry Kahl, Chief Operating Officer of DHHS. “The ACA accreditation and 100% score is the outcome of their efforts."