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Good Afternoon,
Thank you for signing up to our public-facing e-newsletter, "DYS Updates." We're excited to have you as we continue to update you on the transformative journey of our youth and staff within the juvenile justce system in Ohio.
This first edition is a reflection of all the amazing work that is happening both inside and outside of our facilities, which speaks to the accomplishments and success of our youth and staff alike. While our youth face many complex challenges, we have entered the new year ready to "Thrive in '25" as our staff are diligently working to habilitate the youth in our care, all while empowering families and communities.
I hope you take a brief moment to see all the latest hard work and heart work happening here at DYS as we continue to tranform and save lives.
Sincerely,
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In January, all three facilities celebrated the graduation of 42 young men. Their hard work and dedication paid off in ceremonies celebrating their accomplishments and determination filled with family and DYS staff who supported them throughout their journey.
“Earning a diploma or GED today was not given. It was earned,” said DYS Director Amy Ast. “This accomplishment is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and most importantly, the desire and commitment for self-improvement.”
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The graduate total highlights an agency-wide commitment to improve youth outcomes through education and helping youth overcome longstanding barriers.
“This marks a powerful moment of growth and achievement," said the Indian River High School graduate speaker during his ceremony.
"I would like to thank our loved ones and support systems for having our back through the darkest of times in our life,” he said. “Their belief in us and dedication has brought us to this moment, ready to thrive in 2025.”
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Students in the Buckeye United School District, which covers all three DYS facilities, earned 30 diplomas and 12 GEDs during winter commencements. Additionally, DYS youth have also compiled distinctions in vocational and postsecondary education. For the 2023-2024 school year, youth received 1,307 skill certificates and 187 industry credentials, and college-earned credits through Stark State College and Sinclair Community College.
“I encourage the youth to figure out what makes them happy and multiply it,” said Buckeye United School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Jackson. “I want them to dare to live their lives with the purpose it was destined for."
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Community Recognition Awards
To watch the event highlights, click the image above!
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Four youths, three programs, and one court were recognized at the recent Community Recognition Awards. The ceremony highlights each person and entity for their outstanding efforts in creating positive change.
"It is so meaningful when we can recognize youths and programs that are achieving their potential," said Director Ast. "The youth honored have faced serious challenges, and their ability to rise above those obstacles is inspiring."
Congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable work and to all our staff who helped coordinate this event with the Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges.
To learn more about the awards and who won, click here.
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National Award Winner
 Click the image above to watch the video feature.
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Congratulations to a recently released youth for a national poetry honor that earned him a $500 prize!
He submitted his poem to the Center for Improving Youth Justice and was selected as one of 11 recipients nationwide. The $500 is awarded to assist with resources and necessities for his reentry journey.
His entry titled, "Time," comes from his personal experience about the challenges of time while incarcerated. In his transition, he said he wants to get into construction and potentially become an entrepreneur. We wish you all the best on your journey!
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Family Days
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Throughout December, each facility held a Family Day event where parents and siblings could visit their loved one. The rooms were filled with holiday decorations and treats.
The Cuyahoga Hills facility included the opportunity to create “Build-a-Bear” stuffed animals and Indian River used family photos gathered during Family Day to create Christmas cards to send to the families.
During this time, DYS reinstituted the CLOSE to Home program. The program is making transportation available for families to the facilities to visit their youth. The transportation comes at no cost to families. If you are interested, learn more here.
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Fatherhood Day
This year, Cuyahoga Hills implemented an additional Family Day specifically for actively engaged fathers. The young men had the opportunity to select several gifts for their children and personally wrap them, which they would present during the Family Day event. For those children unable to attend, the administration ensured that the gifts are delivered to them.
Participants celebrated during a luncheon with their children where they presented the gifts.
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CrossFit at DYS
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Youth and staff at Cuyahoga Hills & Indian River participated in CrossFit programs during the holiday break. The emphasis was to bring staff and youth together in a different way during the intersession.
The CrossFit program was created to give youth an outlet to deal with difficult emotions in a healthy way. The high intensity sessions consist of functional movements designed to improve physical fitness through varied and challenging routines. The workouts incorporate exercises from Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics, and endurance training.
Both events were coordinated by our partners at CrossFit Crave.
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 "Thrive in '25!"
Watch the video above as the DYS team discusses their ambitions, goals, and how DYS is going to elevate and build upon our efforts from this past year moving forward with the theme of "Thrive in '25!"
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Evolving With AI
Our IT Team recently provided an update to staff about the innovative work we're doing to develop artificial intelligence (AI). Several members of the IT and Executive Staff teams attended the presentation alongside our partners with Google.
Chief Information Officer Brian Hernandez and IT Architects/Consultants Alena Myers and Ben Arp presented an overview about the ways we can utilize AI to eliminate redundancies and inefficiencies with work at the agency.
The group started by explaining generative AI, which can create new ideas and content through its ability to learn languages and other complicated subject matter. They then went into detail about how we can utilize AI to help with daily tasks, best practices for safe usage, and state-approved resources.
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Educating a National Audience
 The DYS team had an inspiring and amazing time at this year’s American Correctional Association Winter Conference. Here were some of the highlights:
- The DYS team attended numerous juvenile-focused workshops to learn more about work in juvenile justice.
- Franklin County Lead Juvenile Judge Lasheyl Stroud and Assistant Director Ginine Trim moderated a Women of Distinction Symposium that highlighted women in corrections. Some of the topics included pathways to leadership and the importance of mentoring for women in this field.
- Ohio Community Corrections Facilities received their accreditations during the conference. Congratulations to Oakview Juvenile Residential Center and Multi-County Juvenile Attention System on this achievement!
- Judge Stroud and Dr. Russell Ledet collaborated on a presentation about the program success they are having at the Juvenile Intervention Center that is being funded by DYS RECLAIM dollars.
- Director Ast and former DYS Director Tom Stickrath presented on updates for the Juvenile Justice Working Group recommendations.
- The DYS Juvenile Correctional Officer of the Year also attended the conference alongside Director Ast and Assistant Director Trim.
This conference was a great opportunity for the DYS team to connect with other individuals within the juvenile justice profession and to learn with one another.
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Click above to watch the podcast!
DYS Podcast: The Future in Focus
DYS recently launched a podcast to highlight efforts in reshaping juvenile justice in Ohio and beyond.
In the first episode, Director Ast and Assistant Director Trim talked with Public Information Officer and program host Csaba Sukosd.
Listen to the series by following us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. You can also watch each episode on the DYS YouTube channel.
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 Youth are particularly vulnerable to trafficking and many times traffickers require them to commit crimes as part of their trafficking. Due to this intersection between human trafficking and justice involved youth, DYS strives to be a part of the solution across the state and the nation.
In 2024, DYS worked to:
- Conduct hundreds of human trafficking screens for our youth.
- Train over 700 DYS staff in human trafficking awareness and how to combat it.
- Collaborate with the Governor’s Human Trafficking Task Force to create 2024 protocol on how to serve trafficking victims.
Additionally, in recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11th, many DYS staff across the agency participated in #WearBlueDay to bring awareness and show solidarity with victims of human trafficking.
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January was also National Mentoring Month. The nationwide observance honors mentors and encourages communities to engage in mentoring activities to ensure positive outcomes for youth.
DYS invests heavily in mentoring services to young people who are at risk of becoming entangled in the juvenile justice system. This is why DYS is so dedicated to programs at the facilities and in communities to address the myriad of issues youth face in their lives.
This past year, DYS funded 19 mentor programs that included 824 youths with nearly 77% successfully completing those programs.
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For Martin Luther King Jr. Day, students focused on the amazing work he did to further the Civil Rights Movement and reflected on what goals they also want to accomplish.
At Indian River, paper clouds full of personal dreams of the youth filled the classroom walls. These dreams surrounded a walkthrough of MLK's extraordinary life, which the students learned about.
At Circleville, an English class reviewed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. Students personalized sections of a Dr. King mural, incorporating contemporary elements. The assignment challenged students to imagine a world of mutual respect and love across all backgrounds.
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School Resource Fair
Indian River High School's Resource Fair welcomed 19 vendors that included colleges, trade programs, and employers attended the event.
The event provided a chance for students to learn about career and educational opportunities upon their release and meet with individuals in the community who can help them achieve those goals.
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Developing Workforce
A variety of companies in Northeast Ohio supported the Workforce Development program at Cuyahoga Hills by participating in mock interviews.
Participants were gifted full professional attire as they learned what it takes to successfully complete a job interview from knowing how to tie a necktie to answering questions from a hiring manager. Each youth received immediate feedback after their interviews.
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The staff, volunteers, and community partners produced such a valuable experience for these young men as they prepare for their reentry journeys.
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Growth Through Skilled Trades
Two DYS youth are making impressive strides toward their reentry through a skilled trades development program.
During a recent visit to the Emerge Center in Xenia, Chaplain Joshua Stone and Reentry Administrator Larry Simpson caught up with the young men and found out they've been exceptional students in their HVAC certification course.
We are so proud of the growth these two young have demonstrated over the years. The Trades Institute and Miami Valley Juvenile Rehabilitation Center have been critical partners for the youth participating in this impactful program.
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FY 2024 Annual Report
Have you had a chance to check out our agency's 2024 Annual Report? With the focus on "Giving Back," our staff did a tremendous job of living up to that theme in so many different ways for the duration of the fiscal year from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024.
Click the image or here to view all the highlights included in the report!
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