 Grand Opening of New Ketchikan Regional Youth Facility March 11, 2002
"I know how much this
facility means to the City and Borough of Ketchikan," Ulmer
said in a release last Thursday. "It is also an important
facility for Southeast Alaska because it means we can begin to
help young people in trouble right away and close to home." "Until now, young people who were arrested in Ketchikan were sent elsewhere to await judgement on their cases," Ulmer said. "Now they can be detained at the Ketchikan Youth Facility and we can immediately begin the process of restorative justice. Families can even get involved, which is another advantage."
"This combination of services in one building is unique for Alaska and innovative for youth facilities across the country," said George Buhite, Director of the Division of Alaska Juvenile Justice. "This facility enables program staff to meet the needs of residents who require both detention for criminal activity and crisis respite for mental illness, while reducing the administrative needs two facilities would require." The facility was designed by the architectural firms of ECI/Hyer, Inc. of Anchorage and Millard & Peters of Ketchikan. In a news release obtained today, the grand opening ceremony began at 10:00 am at the facility's front entrance, 3058 Fifth Street, adjacent to the Ketchikan Public Health Center. Jim Voetberg, Assistant City Manager for Ketchikan, was scheduled to serve as Master of Ceremonies. Mayor Bob Weinstein and Senator Robin Taylor were also scheduled to join the Lt. Governor at the podium.
Related Information: Source of News Release:
Digital photos by Dick Kauffman. Digital photo of ribbon cutting provided by Lt. Governor's office.
|
Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer joined others in Ketchikan
this morning to celebrate the opening of the new Ketchikan Regional
Youth Facility. The grand opening celebration marked years of
planning and collaboration between state and local governments.
In addition to providing secure confinement
for young people who have been arrested for criminal charges
and other violations, the facility will also offer a safe environment
for youth with serious emotional disturbances who require short
term stabilization and assessment services. Facility staff will
include a mental health clinician who will work closely with
local mental health providers to ensure continuity of care and
to effectively plan for each youth's return to the community.
Monday
afternoon, Lt. Governor Ulmer invited the Borough Mayor and Assembly
to meet with her at 2:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. There
was no agenda for this informal, drop-in gathering. The Managers
of the City of Ketchikan and Borough along with the Saxman administrator
and the Ketchikan City Mayor and Council and the City of Saxman
Mayor and Council Members were also invited to attend. This meeting
was open to the public.