Contact Us
McLaughlin Youth Center
Facility Superintendent
2600 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 261-4399
Fax: (907) 261-4321
McLaughlin Youth Center
McLaughlin Youth Center (MYC) is a 135-bed facility that provides a safe and secure environment, and all proper care, for youth who are being detained pending court action and those who have been institutionalized by the Court for purposes of receiving long term treatment. In addition, MYC also delivers community based detention and transition/reentry services to youth, primarily for the Third Judicial District.
MYC houses four detention programs: Detention Court Unit (DCU), Boys’ Detention Unit (BDU), Girl’s Detention Unit, and Community Detention. There are also six treatment programs: Secure Treatment Unit (STX) for assessment, evaluation, and treatment planning for male youth; Cottage 5 for girl’s treatment; Cottage 3 for male sex offender treatment, Cottage 4 for male cognitive behavioral treatment, Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) for high security risk male youth, and Transitional Services Unit (TSU) to begin preparing institutionalized youth for reentry into the community. In FY 2012, there were 574 admissions to and 577 releases from MYC Detention Units, and 65 admissions to and 70 releases from MYC Treatment Programs.
The facility provides extensive treatment and educational programs and services for detention and institutionalized youth, and Administrative and Operations functions to assist in providing these services and facilitating the overall operations of the MYC, Mat-Su Youth Facility (MSYF), and Kenai Peninsula Youth Facility (KPYF). The Anchorage School District operates the school within MYC for both detention and institutionalized youth. McLaughlin has six full time Mental Health Clinicians, one of which also serves KPYF and MSYF. Administrative, supply services, and operational support centered at MYC function for MYC, KPYF, MSYF, Anchorage Juvenile Probation, and South Central Juvenile Probation.
During fiscal year 2012 there were two main challenges for MYC. The first was concerns about possible asbestos exposure for maintenance staff found by OSHA inspectors during the current remodeling project(s). MYC immediately began working to come into compliance with the General Industry Asbestos Standard (29 CFR 1910.1001) and continues to do so. The second was the discontinuation of the MYC Boys and Girls Club program due to budgetary shortfalls.
McLaughlin also experienced some great accomplishments. In cooperation with the Anchorage School District the Step-Up Program added an Middle School component for 10 students. STX finalized its change to a long-term treatment program and continues to work on the TSU Detention Hold Program. The Maintenance Unit completed numerous projects through a multitude of contractors on premise. The ITU remodel was completed in March and work began on the much needed new Medical Suite and Training areas. Community Detention changed to a full school day. The TSU accepted the task of reconstructing a more robust MYC volunteer program and partnered with Leadership Anchorage for assistance in that endeavor resulting in a current tally of 116 volunteers at MYC. ITU and BDU continue to benefit, by less restraints, from the implementation of Trauma Informed Care. The Strip Search and Court Escort polices were re-written and implemented this year resulting in less intrusive procedures and reflect trauma informed care principles. TSU Unit Supervisor Russ Blocker helped to develop the Statewide Transitional Services Policy which will come into effect Oct. 1, 2012. Cottage 4 has developed a small engines/automotive maintenance and repair program to deliver more robust vocational training opportunities to MYC youth. PAWsitive Connections, a partnership between Cottages 3 and 5, Golden Days Kennels, and an experienced dog trainer/handler, has given youth training skills as well as placed four dogs that may have been otherwise placed in animal control or destroyed.
About MYC