County board looks to replace revenue lost in state ward dispute

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By JEAN ORTIZ/Lincoln Journal Star

Still not finding resolution over youth detention services for state wards, Lancaster County officials say they will look elsewhere to fill beds at the county’s Youth Services Center.

Aiming to bolster the center’s revenue for the long-term, the County Board of Commissioners has approved a plan to step up its marketing approach with counties that use the center. The county also will reach out to new customers.

The idea came out of the county board’s recent budget workshop.

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Letters will go out to all Nebraska counties, said Michelle Schindler, Youth Services Center director.

For some, the letter will serve as an introduction to the center at 1200 Radcliff St. that houses youth being processed through the justice system and those found guilty of law violations.

Until Sept. 30, the state had a contract to use the center, paying a rate of $238 a day per youth. A new contract, which was never renewed despite lengthy negotiations, would have set the rate at $260.

In November, the board voted to impose the $260 rate and refuse new placements if the state didn’t pay it. State officials responded by moving state wards to other detention centers around the state.

But the courts can decide placement, which is why state wards are still at the Youth Services Center.

The state is still paying the $238 rate, and Lancaster County has lost about $15,000 since the rate change went into effect, said Melissa Hood, an administrative aide at the Youth Services Center who handles billing.

Todd Landry, director of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Children and Family Services, declined to comment on the county’s estimated financial losses, but did confirm the state is paying a rate of $238.

As of Friday, seven youth at the center were the responsibility of the state, he said.

The state is keeping some youth elsewhere, including a Madison County center that charges $170 a day. Even with added transportation costs — Madison is about 100 miles north and west of Lincoln — the state saves money, he said. The state is adhering to court-ordered Lancaster County placement, although it has appealed two cases, he said.

It’s too soon to predict any long-term effects, Schindler said.

Commissioners and Schindler have expressed optimism that operating with a larger population could help the center run more efficiently. That ultimately could lower rates for everyone, they said.

Including state wards, 59 children were at the center Monday. Four were from contract counties.

In 2007, the center’s average daily population was 57.

It has room for 60 in secure units and 20 more in what’s called staff secure, which is for those under Juvenile Court jurisdiction only and who do not require a locked facility.

Since July, 12 counties have used the center’s services, Schindler said.

Contract counties pay a daily rate of $244.50.

In 2007, those contracts generated $274,000 in revenue. She expects that number to be around $265,000 this year.

Even with the loss of some state revenue, it looks like staffing vacancies and a growing number of care days — the figure upon which the center’s finances are based rather than straight population — will keep within the budget set for this year, Schindler said.

Reach Jean Ortiz at 473-7107 or jortiz@journalstar.com.