Ohio Department of Youth Services

🌟 STAFF SUCCESS STORY 🌟

At our facilities, staff run into tough situations that require strength and calmness to assist with our youth. Circleville Operations Manager Nicholas Swint recently helped a youth in distress where his strong verbal skills and calm demeanor were crucial in a challenging situation.

He provided clear directions to assist staff and care for the struggling youth. Thank you, Nicholas, for your composure and compassion as you help make Circleville a safe, trusted community.

Yesterday was a big day for us in our continuation of being national leaders in juvenile justice. We held our ceremonial groundbreaking at the first of our "smaller is safer" facilities in Grafton.

We were fortunate to be joined by Governor Mike DeWine for the unveiling of our site and some of the designs of the four downsized facilities that will replace our Cuyahoga Hills site.

The modernized locations include smaller housing units that support trauma-focused treatment alongside a state-of-the-art security infrastructure. And each site will feature improved classrooms, vocational training spaces, mental health treatment suites, and both indoor and outdoor recreational areas.

Thank you to the governor and the legislature for their investment in Ohio's youth. We sincerely appreciate all our partners at Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, The Village of Grafton, Gilbane Building, HDR, Bowen, Ozanne Construction Company, and Adrian Maldonado & Associates in helping us work to create these transformative spaces.

We were so excited and grateful to host Governor DeWine today for the groundbreaking of our new, smaller facilities in Grafton and Bedford.

Thank you to all our partners for the collaboration and efforts to make these new environments for staff and youth come to fruition!

☀️ REENTRY REDEMPTION ☀️

For any of us to be successful and reach our potential, a lot of things must go well. And those successes usually require people helping us along the way.

Here is the latest example of positive transformations that happen when a justice-involved youth is given a second chance. After some missteps in DYS care, a young man has been recognized by our parole and reentry teams after he recently completed his parole.

His achievements include:

1️⃣ Earned his high school diploma.
2️⃣ Received his driver’s license.
3️⃣ Working multiple jobs.
4️⃣ Actively engaged father to his one-year-old daughter.
5️⃣ Starts classes soon at Cuyahoga Community College where he’ll also play football.

And the list goes on. Thanks to our staff and others like our partners at The Trades Institute and Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative who have poured into this young man and is blossoming before our eyes.

Join us in congratulating our employees of the month! 🎉
Your commitment to serve, help transform the lives of young people, and support your teammates is inspirational.

🌟 Public service is about more than just keeping things running—it’s about changing the trajectory of lives here at DYS.

This Public Service Recognition Week, we are shining a light on the incredible team at DYS. From our dedicated Youth Specialists and Teachers to our Case Managers and all of our staff, you are the people that transform and save lives.

Your work in creating trauma-informed environments and providing vocational training isn't just public service, but you are building a foundation for a brighter future for Ohio’s youth. Thank you for showing up with passion, patience, and a commitment to restorative justice.