DHHS makes system wide changes across YRTC facilities

This comes after several reports of alleged sex abuse from staff at the YRTC Kearney facility surfaced in courts.

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YRTC facilities see a shakeup from the top in leadership and other changes

, Neb. —

Nebraska Youth and Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers get a major shake-up from the top.

This comes after several reports of alleged sex abuse from staff at the YRTC Kearney facility surfaced in Douglas and Lancaster County courts.

Those allegations eventually led to the arrest of four former staffers.

The state Department of Health and Human Services will appoint the YRTC Hastings administrator, Camella Jacobe, as the temporary senior administrator system-wide. The position oversees the Hastings, Lincoln, and Kearney facilities.

DHHS said in a press release that it will have Jacobe in this position effective immediately as the department searches to fill the permanent position nationwide.

The state agency had implemented the following improvements to all of the YRTC facilities:

Enhanced incident reporting to courts

Timely legal notification letters
Expanded monthly progress reports
Critical incident reporting to appropriate legal parties (DHHS officials, probation, Office of Inspector General, and YRTC youth’s families)

Expanded facility monitoring and oversight

Increased unannounced compliance and locker inspections
Clear bag policy for all staff
Metal detector wands for parents and visitors
Doubling compliance team video monitoring reviews

Increased youth access to supports

New probation line: Not recorded, free of charge, and private
Continued access to the 24/7 Abuse and Neglect Hotline and the Ombudsman
Youth can meet privately with their probation officer and Children and Family Services Specialist

Extra staff training and improved accountability

Training: Professional boundaries, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), supervisory responsibilities, mandatory reporting
Accountability: Weekly treatment team meetings including boundary discussions, acknowledgement of all their training

The Douglas County Public Defender’s Juvenile Division Supervisor Lauren Walag shared several DHHS changes their attorneys noticed over the past several months. Walag said, “Since fall 2025, our client commitment numbers have decreased by half. We are hopeful that these additional measures aimed at communication and transparency will ultimately help our clients receive the treatment they need and deserve.”

The department said these changes are a part of its “ongoing commitment to strengthening oversight.” DHHS CEO Steve Corsi added to this, saying the improvement shows “its responsibility to provide safe and secure facilities for Nebraska youth.”