The Nexus Family Healing facility is in a quiet, rural area of East Bethel.
The Department of Human Services’ investigation of the youth psychiatric facility is sparking concerns.
“We’re very sympathetic about the situation,” says Matt Look, the East Bethel city administrator. “We’re concerned about the programming that’s gone on there, and the kids and families affected by this temporary suspension of their license.”
The DHS is investigating a list of violations that include:
- Unreported suspected maltreatment
- Medications not being administered safely
- Treatment services without adequate supervision
- No monitoring of implementation of safety policies
- The facility not in good repair
Look says he was shocked to learn about those issues, but notes that 911 calls from Nexus have become frequent.
“There were a lot of calls of self-hurting,” he explains. “There were calls of assaults, there were calls of kids leaving the facility, and police were called, fire responds at that point if there’s any injuries.”
Look says the emergency calls began three years ago.
Typically, he says, a half-dozen agencies would respond.
Look notes in 2025 alone, there were 178 calls.
“We ran a kind of early estimate, it’s probably around $100,000 for our community a year,” he explains. “Which may not sound like a lot, but for a community of our size, it’s significant.”
The center opened in late 2023, with 40 beds for 10- to 20-year-olds with a higher level of mental and behavioral health needs.
Licensing records document a history of maltreatment investigations and correction orders since 2024.
One week ago, DHS suspended Nexus’s license effective May 29, saying “there’s an imminent risk of harm” to the 21 residents there.
The order suspends the license on that date, or whenever all youth served at the location have been transitioned to a new provider, whichever comes first.
In a statement, a DHS spokesperson says, “the department is working with state and county partners to provide resources and support for the placement of all the youth in the facility. We are working to support individualized placement plans, while minimizing disruption for affected youth and their families. Our priority is ensuring the safety, stability, and appropriate treatment for these young people.”
As KSTP reported Thursday, a Nexus Family Healing spokesperson says staff were surprised to receive the notice from DHS on May 15 to temporarily close the facility.
On Friday, Nexus declined a request for an on-camera interview, but the provider sent us the following statement:
“Regarding the list of statements from DHS, we have been reaching out to request a meeting to gain greater visibility into their specific concerns. We have informed DHS of steps we’ve taken and additional steps that will be implemented that we are confident will eliminate the potential for harm that might have existed. We have a long history of responsiveness and collaboration with DHS, whose role we respect in their dedicated work to ensure youth safety.
“We began contacting the families of the youth we serve at East Bethel immediately on receipt of the notice, working on transition plans. We also informed our staff of the furlough, aligning with DHS’s notice of temporary closure on May 29th.
“There are very few PRTFs (Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility) in the state, serving children who struggle with high levels of mental and behavioral health needs. We are gravely concerned that the temporary closing of this facility is not in the best interest of the youth and their families. We are committed to working with DHS, as we always have, to address their concerns, and our goal is to remain open and continue serving the youth at East Bethel.”
Look says he’s hoping the city can help.
“How can we meet these kids?” he explains. “How can we, you know, provide some sort of service to get them on the right path in life, for later in life as well?”
