July 6, 2024
OLYMPIA, Wash.- On July 5, Green Hill School in Chehalis and Echo Glen Children’s Center in Snoqualmie have suspended entries to curb rising populations in juvenile rehabilitation facilities.
According to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families’ decision to stop taking youth comes as officials attempt to stabilize the rising populations and keep both youth and staff members safe and sustainable.
Ross Hunter, the DCFY Secretary responsible for the decision, alerted juvenile, adult, and tribal courts statewide of the decision to suspend intakes at its facilities.
Hunter explains, “When too many young people are concentrated in small spaces it can escalate behaviors and limit the ability for therapeutic rehabilitation,” explained Hunter. “This was not sustainable. Our facilities must be safe, therapeutic, and functional.”
Rising populations have posed challenges to the facilities as more young people are being sentenced for more extended periods.
https://www.nonstoplocal.com/tri-cities-yakima/news/juvenile-facilities-halt-entries-as-rising-populations-create-challenges-for-youth-and-staff/article_374014e3-22df-5d10-b33a-f15e6f95ba2a.html