OMAHA, Nebraska (KMTV) — More than a year after it was completed, it still sits empty. We took a tour inside the downtown Youth and Family Support Center. The facility will remain empty while talks resume about its future use.
- This facility has 64 beds, but currently the youth population at the current Douglas County Youth Center is between 80 and 90 percent.
- Last year, there were repeated delays in moving to the new facility due to space and cost reasons.
- At full capacity, this new facility will require 152 employees.
- The board is also analyzing recent legislation in Lincoln and considering options that have already been discussed, as well as new ideas.
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MISSION:
Classrooms, intake rooms, waiting rooms, a recreation area and even a gym are set up and ready for youth exposed to the justice system.
This facility has 64 beds, but currently the youth population at the current Douglas County Youth Center is between 80 and 90 percent.
“One-third of those currently incarcerated in juvenile detention centers are charged with adult-level offenses or serious crimes,” said Roger Garcia, chairman of the Douglas County Commissioners.
Last year, there were repeated delays in moving to the new facility due to space and cost reasons.
In October 2023, the Supervisory Board discussed the operation of both facilities.
“So we would be running that downtown facility at capacity, but also keeping the larger facility open to make sure we have enough capacity. We would also be running the new facility at capacity and running two facilities for the foreseeable future as long as the numbers stay where they are,” Garcia said.
The problem is the cost.
“Operating a second plant costs between $4.5 million and $7 million,” Garcia said.
$4.5 million if the new facility is only partially open with one unit, or an estimated $7 million if it is open at full capacity.
“That’s an estimate, that’s an area we’re in right now. Of course, there are different aspects that come with opening a new facility, like staffing and training,” Garcia said.
At full capacity, this new facility will require 152 employees.
The board is also analyzing recent legislation in Lincoln and considering options that have already been discussed, as well as new ideas.
“We need to have these difficult conversations about where we can reach consensus to move forward as a county and what is best for our youth and families in Douglas County,” Garcia said.
The board will meet again to discuss this, but the timeline for opening has not yet been determined.
