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Good Morning,
I hope the summer has been going well for you all as it nears its end. DYS has continued to stay busy with various events, conferences, and other initiatives taking place across our agency. One event in particular that took place in August was the Restored Citizens' Summit. You can get all the information on how we are helping youth get connected to opportunities once released from our care by checking out the story and video below.
We are also pleased to share with you the DYS Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report that highlights many of our efforts in doing "More in '24" last year. Please click the link above to read the full report.
Thank you again for subscribing to "DYS Updates." If you have any immediate questions about our agency, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at (614) 466-4314.
Sincerely,
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Restored Citizens' Summit |
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 Click or tap the image above to watch the highlight video.
It was another impactful Restored Citizens' Summit in downtown Columbus. Youth from facilities and others recently released connected with dozens of people and service providers from the community there to assist with reentry.
The young men got the chance to speak with keynote speaker Xavier McElrath-Bey. He spent 13 years in prison for a gang-related murder when he was 13 and is now a national leader in youth counseling and advocacy, violence prevention, and sentencing reform.
The youth also got a tour of Columbus State Community College, exploring the school’s many educational and career paths.
Thank you to all our staff and partners who made this major event happen.
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Black Men's Wellness Day 5K/Walk |
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 DYS parole staff and youth recently volunteered at the Columbus Black Men's Wellness 5K Run/Walk handing out water to participants.
This is the second year in a row the parole team and youth participated in the event with some of our staff participants included Juvenile Parole Senior Supervisors Saroya Mulligan and Keith Lomax, Juvenile Parole Officers Breda Hammond, Shelly Hughes, Allie Rawson, Patrice Edwards, Lonita Tuff, and Southern Region Administrator David Tobin.
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We had several youth volunteers as they all did a great job in providing community service at the event! This was another opportunity for the youth to get out, see something positive, and give back.
We appreciate everyone who helped make this happen!
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What Would Marcus Do Event |
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DYS was well represented in the Hilltop community recently for their What Would Marcus Do event. Kids and adults lined up to spin the wheel and receive prizes. The founder of the organization visited the DYS table to say hello and express her appreciation for our agency’s presence at the event.
Thank you to our staff Carmen Dorman, Saroya Mulligan, and Dr. Adam Pettis for your presence and support of the Hilltop community event!
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Some of our DYS Team also had the opportunity to attend Community Day within Columbus that provided items to get students back-to-school ready for the academic year that offered free supplies and activities for the kids while also providing resources for families.
Thank you to our DYS team that did with Lucy Twitty, Bridgette Cox, and Yolonda Frierson as they attended this event to assist children in the community!
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American Correctional Association National Conference |
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 During this year’s American Correctional Association's National Conference in Denver, we had several staff representing DYS. The conference provided an opportunity for our staff to attend various workshops/sessions, which will allow them to bring back this knowledge to assist us in our work within juvenile justice at our agency.
Some of our staff even led and participated in panels such as “The Path to Change” and “The Work in Nurturing Change.” Thank you to Jodi Slagle, Ryan Smith, Dr. Michael Jackson, and others for taking part in these important discussions.
We appreciate our various local partners and all our staff who attended this year’s conference, especially this year’s DYS Youth Specialist of the Year Tony Miller and Employee of the Year Yvette Hester.
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Interstate Compact for Juveniles |
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DYS also had our Director of the Community-Based Innovations and Solutions division Mike Garrett and our Interstate Compact for Juveniles (ICJ) Commissioner Sasaun Lane attend the ICJ Annual Business Meeting held in Cleveland this year.
Garrett addressed the body during the conference and really focused on our impact and future efforts towards human trafficking. With a rule on the table to be voted on regarding human trafficking, our delegation made it known how important it is for the collaboration with other states to address this issue.
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 DYS recently had several members of our team attend the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) Conference. This non-profit organization has hosted the conference since 1973 and invites individuals across the nation from the ranks of criminal justice professions.
From DYS, we had several participate in the conference this year, including Scott Barwick, Deanna Clark, Sonya Wade, Sheila Fryson-Baldridge, Jessica Jefferson, Saroya Mulligan (inducted into NABCJ as a lifetime member), Kathryn Howard, Craig Knight, Ella Banks-Fuggs, and Ed Miles (not pictured, inducted into NABCJ as a lifetime member).
This year's theme for the conference was, "Reimagining Criminal Justice: Transforming Solutions, Empowering Value & Building Trust," where many people from adult and juvenile corrections attended to participate in 44 various workshops.
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AI Advancements in the Agency |
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 The IT division showcased the new AI technologies and tools it has been developing with our partners at Ohio DAS and Google.
The team presented innovative solutions and their potential to enhance operational efficiency, including streamlining administrative duties to invest more direct-care hours with our youth.
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DYS Podcast: The Future in Focus
Episode 7
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 In this latest episode, Public Information Officer and program host Csaba Sukosd and his guests discussed the programs within the facilities that help youth with their transitions into adulthood and back to the community through the development of communication skills, relationships, and career paths.
The panelists for this episode include Bureau Chief of Program & Unit Management Jack Vicencio, Reentry Coordinator Mark Dobrzynski, Program Administrator Denise Conrad, and Chaplain Kimberly Dove.
You can also 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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 Dr. Jordan Argus of our Best Practices Institute has recently led the charge to organize and plan out the professional work-study program with the Cristo Rey Columbus School.
Each year, we have interns that get selected during an exciting draft day to intern for the agency throughout the school year. This program allows some of our DYS staff to help guide and mentor these students throughout the year as they complete tasks in various areas of the agency.
We are excited to have them for this upcoming year and look forward to their contributions as they build their education and skills with DYS. The four interns with our agency this year:
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Davy Gallman
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Treiveah Hale
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Ashley Molina Orellano
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Madison Kaiser
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 As we continue to Thrive in '25 as an agency, that mantra includes many of our youths across the state.
In the first batch of youth baptisms this year at Circleville and Cuyahoga Hills, a total of 20 young men took the plunge. They made public declarations to lead more positive and fulfilling lives before staff, volunteers, and loved ones.
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 Cuyahoga Hills Baptisms
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 Circleville Baptisms
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To watch the highlight videos for each baptism, click or tap on the images above.
We extend our warmest wishes to all the youth who took part.
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Released DYS Youth Attending Youngstown State University |
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A recently released DYS youth just started college at Youngstown State University. Reentry Administrator Christine Crine and Parole Officer Yazmeen Jimenez helped his transition at orientation and assisted with scheduling classes and finding a part-time job.
Thank you very much to our dedicated staff, Chris and Yaz, for all their efforts and work with this youth to ensure he had the resources and assistance to make this transition to a university to pursue his future!
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Youth Attends Central State University with Assistance from DYS Team
We had an inspiring journey of a certain youth, who despite serious charges and spending most of his teenage years in DYS, pursued his dream of attending college.
With extensive support from his DYS team, particularly Ms. Belcher, Ms. Doss, Mr. Knox, Mr. Barwick, Ms. Powell, and Mr. Tobin, he applied, received acceptance to Central State University, attended orientation, and moved into his dorm. His formal transition to college life was celebrated at a Candlelight ceremony, showcasing the positive impact of teamwork in guiding youth towards a brighter future.
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Skilled Trade Apprenticeship and Career Fair
Community Engagement, Reentry, and Parole staff attended the Skilled Trade Apprenticeship and Career Fair sponsored by the City of Columbus Building Trades Council.
Youth on parole were in attendance to learn about the steps involved in learning a trade and building a future in the industry. Representatives from Central Ohio’s skilled trade apprenticeship programs were present to talk with our young men regarding their experience and discuss possible opportunities.
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 We really expanded the DYS in family in August with the addition 58 people at preservice graduation!
Among our biggest group of the year was 46 youth specialists, including class speaker Terrica Martin from Circleville.
She spoke to the significance of our four agency values -- safety, innovation, cultural competence, and wellness. She elaborated on how those pillars are foundational for us as an organization and vital to transform our youths, families, and communities.
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Bureau Chief of Community Facilities Jodi Slagle followed with her own core four principles that she's learned during 23 years in service to DYS and our youth. Her words of wisdom revolved around having a positive attitude, building strong and healthy relationships, being a mentor, and working together as a team.
We're so happy for all the new hires joining our team and can't wait to see how you will help us carry out our mission to transform and save lives.
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DYS is full of passionate people who serve to transform and save the lives of young people. Those efforts happen in a number of ways thanks to our diverse role and team members.
Here are a few examples below of how some of our staff not only inspire our youth but one another.
 General Activities Therapist Schauntarrah Breckinridge
Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility
 Youth Specialist Wilson Humphrey
Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility
 AP1 Harper Zipay
Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility
 AP1 Misty Richards
Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility
 Academy Training Developer/Ohio Learn Administrator Sheila Fryson
Training Academy
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Youth Resources
Columbus:
Cincinnati:
Cleveland:
Local Resources:
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