A psychiatric facility in East Bethel, Minnesota, has been allowed to stay open despite concerns over the safety of its young residents. The facility, operated by Nexus Family Healing, had been ordered to close by the state due to numerous licensing violations and concerns over the welfare of its residents.

Agreement Reached

However, an agreement was reached between the facility and the state’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to allow the facility to remain open under increased scrutiny. The facility will be required to scale back its operations and submit to more rigorous oversight, including weekly status updates to state officials.

The facility, which had been licensed to serve 40 youth, will now be limited to serving just six. Management must also address numerous safety concerns, including broken doors and broken glass tiles in bathrooms, and implement new policies to prevent sexual contact between residents.

The state’s decision to allow the facility to remain open comes at a time when there is a shortage of psychiatric residential treatment facilities in Minnesota. The facility’s troubles have also raised concerns about the state’s ability to provide adequate care for vulnerable youth.

Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.