Hamilton County Juvenile Court

This summer, Hamilton County Juvenile Court is launching the “Summer of Discovery” initiative — connecting court-involved youth with positive opportunities and resources in their own communities.

Hamilton County Juvenile Court is proud to partner with the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) to bring meaningful arts programming and creative opportunities to youth involved in the juvenile court system. This partnership launched with “Voices Unheard: Art, Identity, and Experience,” an exhibition showcasing artwork, poetry, music, and creative expression from youth at the Hamilton County Youth Detention Center.

Art has the power to inspire, uplift, and give young people a voice. This exhibition highlights the creativity, humanity, and personal growth of these youth while creating space for their stories to be seen and heard by the community.

A heartfelt thank you to the CAC, Education Director Elizabeth Hardin-Klink, our CPS teachers, Youth Center staff, Judge Kari Bloom, and our Court staff for helping bring this partnership to life.

This exhibition is only the beginning. Through expanded CAC programming, youth will now have greater access to artists, mentorship, outreach opportunities, and apprenticeships — creating pathways toward brighter futures and helping break cycles through community investment.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. At Hamilton County Juvenile Court, we recognize that supporting the mental health and well-being of young people is an important part of helping them grow, heal, and succeed.

Statistics show that around 65%- 70% of justice-involved youth have at least one diagnosable mental health condition, and many have experienced significant trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), abuse, neglect, community violence, or instability.

Through connection, and access to support, we remain committed to serving youth and families with care and understanding.

Award-Winning Work at Hamilton County Juvenile Court!

Hamilton County Juvenile Court has been awarded continued technical assistance from a national resource center as part of a statewide initiative to improve outcomes for children and families across Ohio.

Supported by the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Children and Families Section and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, this recognition will help strengthen coordination for youth involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems while advancing innovative strategies and stronger support for families in our community.

These opportunities are funded through the federal Court Improvement Program and the Children’s Justice Act.

Check out this op-ed by Administrative Judge Kari Bloom in the Cincinnati Enquirer: “Kids I see in my courtroom change when social media is limited.”

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/contributors/2026/04/28/social-media-is-fueling-bad-decisions-that-land-kids-in-my-courtroom-opinion/89611088007/

This April, in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Judge Kari Bloom joined kids at the Youth Center to plant blue pinwheels in the garden—each one thoughtfully created by the kids themselves.

The blue pinwheel is a symbol of hope, safety, and the joyful childhood every young person deserves. By creating and planting these pinwheels, our youth are helping raise awareness and remind us all of the importance of protecting and supporting children in our community.

What an incredible evening at the gala hosted by the Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati, celebrating outstanding law students and community leaders making a difference across our city.

We were especially proud to cheer on our very own Olivia Riggs, a member of the Court’s Young Professionals Advisory Council, as she received the prestigious Theodore M. Berry Scholarship Award.

Congratulations to Olivia and to all of the evening’s award recipients — your dedication to service and the legal profession inspires us all!