DHHS names interim administrator to oversee Nebraska YRTCs

CENTRAL NEBRASKA (KSNB) - The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced a leadership change and additional safety and accountability steps within its Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center system, saying the moves are aimed at strengthening oversight and advancing ongoing operational improvements. DHHS said it has designated a new Senior Administrator to oversee the YRTCs in Kearney, Hastings and Lincoln. Camella Jacobe, the current administrator at YRTC-Hastings, will serve as Interim Youth Facilities Senior Administrator effective immediately. DHHS said a nationwide search for a permanent senior administrator will begin soon. In addition to the leadership change, DHHS said it has implemented operational enhancements to strengthen safety, oversight and accountability across the YRTC system. Key changes DHHS says have been implemented - Enhanced incident reporting through a standardized procedure, including legal notification letters to courts, expanded monthly progress reports, and critical incident reporting to DHHS leadership, probation, the Office of Inspector General, and parents or legal guardians. - Expanded facility monitoring and oversight, including more unannounced compliance inspections, a clear bag policy for staff, metal detector wands for parents and visitors, increased video monitoring reviews, and more frequent unannounced locker inspections. - Increased youth access to supports, including a new non-recorded, free, private probation line, along with continued access to the Abuse and Neglect Hotline and the Ombudsman, and private meetings with probation officers and DHHS specialists. - Additional staff training focused on professional boundaries, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) requirements, supervisory responsibilities and mandatory reporting. - Strengthened staff accountability, including employee acknowledgments of incident reporting requirements, professional conduct expectations and PREA policies, and weekly treatment team meetings that include boundary discussions. DHHS said the changes are intended to improve protections for youth and increase staff accountability across the system. “These changes reflect DHHS’s commitment to continuous improvement and its responsibility to provide safe and secure facilities for Nebraska youth,” said DHHS CEO Steve Corsi. “These actions represent a comprehensive effort to strengthen operational excellence, and ensure the highest standards of care for youth entrusted to the state’s custody.” Click here to subscribe to our KSNB Local4 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox. Copyright 2026 KSNB. All rights reserved.