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September 2025 Newsletter |
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Good Morning,
With the Fall season underway, our staff and youth have stayed busy with so many fantastic and purposeful activities and events during intersession last month. Be sure to check out some of those details and photos below!
I also want to take a moment to point out the "Ohio's The Heart of It All" Fall Guide is available by scrolling to the bottom of the newsletter so you can check out many Fall events coming up across the state. Additionally, you will find some community youth resources that may be helpful to share with youth at some point in the future.
Our team has really gone above and beyond in getting out there in the community to attend meaningful events that has sparked collaborative efforts with organizations throughout the state. I look forward to seeing what some of these partnerships may lead to in the future when it comes to juvenile justice here in Ohio and beyond.
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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Members of our DYS staff attended several "Building Bridges" events, which are known as powerful reentry events focused on strengthening our communities and connections.
Our teams connected with many partners at these occasions, including BeRe, DRC, the Cuyahoga County's Office of Reentry, the Hamilton County Office of Reentry, and many more.
Attending such events allows our staff to become more educated and provides opportunities to expand our collaboration with organizations that have similar missions. Working together further ensures we leave a lasting impact within juvenile justice and the lives of youth across our communities.
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 WATCH: Hamilton County Leaders Host Discussion to Lead At-Risk Youth Toward Positive Path
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 In recognition of September 11, 2001, some of our DYS staff participated in the tribute to the 412 first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day with the 3rd Annual Ohio Department of Public Safety 9/11 Climb. We had several DYS staff from throughout the state in attendance as our team was honored to partake in this meaningful event alongside Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, fellow agencies, and partners.
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National Workforce Development Month |
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 As we highlight September as National Workforce Development Month, we recognize the contributions of our dedicated staff as workforce development professionals and to raise awareness about the importance of workforce programs for the youth in our facilities. This includes not only having teachers specializing in trades classes for the youth, but offering many opportunities for career preparation as each facility is equipped with an Ohio Means Jobs center.
As the youth are released, this preparation helps them find employment to contribute to our communities, support businesses in finding skilled workers, and ultimately strengthen our local economies.
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 In recognizing National Recovery Month in September, DYS is proud as it was designated earlier this year as a Recovery Friendly Workplace. For state employees, Ohio state agencies offer various resources to support those in recovery. Learn more by clicking here.
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 DYS employee Brittany Neal was recently part of a two-day summit in Akron to enhance the juvenile justice system internationally. The two-day event organized by the U.S Department of State, Global Ties Akron, and Summit County Juvenile Court included representatives from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Neal, a state JDAI administrator at our agency, presented to juvenile justice stakeholders from Asia about the impactful approach of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) in Ohio. The template uses evidence-based approaches to identify the strengths and needs of young people on probation.
Thank you, Brittany (front row, left), for sharing Ohio’s successes with others and thanks to our partners for letting DYS be part of the summit.
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During the intersession school break, the youth at our facilities were challenging themselves physically and mentally as they participated in sports, social interaction events, and other team building exercises to stay busy and productive across our various sites. We appreciate all the staff who helped organize these various activities. |
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Belmont County Youth Honor Veterans |
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 For two years in a row, the Belmont County Juvenile Court's C-CAP and CrossFit for Change programs collaborated with a local American Legion and the Tri-State Veterans Museum to remove flags from the graves of local veterans.
These two DYS-funded programs worked together in having 15 kids participate in this community service in taking down the flags across five cemeteries.
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At DYS, what we invest in is what we value. Our HR team illustrated that with their third annual retreat in Delaware.
The professional development and team building event included presentations by business leader and author John Bernatovicz of Willory and wellness expert Nikki Riley from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Thank you to our phenomenal HR and Training Academy staff for all they do to hire, develop, and support the entire agency in so many ways.
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Click or tap the image below to watch the recap video.
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Youth at our Circleville facility produce school supplies that are donated to children in the community through our partners at Crayons to Computers. Human Services Program Coordinator Denise Conrad and Activity Therapy Administrator Christian Smalley recently toured the nonprofit’s warehouse as part of an annual banquet.
Thanks to all the youth and staff for providing our young people with resources to help achieve their full potential.
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Certification Program Progress |
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 One of our most innovative accomplishments this year has been the development of a stepdown program to a community correctional facility where youth earn skilled trades certificates as they prepare to reenter the community.
DYS youth spend time in a classroom and out in the field developing their base in HVAC/R or plumbing while also developing life skills to help ensure career success from communication to financial literacy. They also have ability to work part-time and gain college credits in another field of study. Upon completion, youths have multiple employment opportunities from starting at an entry-level position or as an apprentice. Our partners include Miami Valley Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, The Trades Institute, and juvenile court judges across the state.
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This this time, two youths have graduated with HVAC/R certificates. Two more youth are scheduled to graduate later this month while an additional youth is slated to complete the program in December.
Many thanks to our staff and fellow stakeholders for giving our young people the tools for successful futures.
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 To watch the graduation video, click or tap the image above.
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 To watch the latest video about the trades program, click or tap the image above.
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 Nearly 50 people officially joined the DYS team at the September preservice graduation filling voids in 11 different positions.
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Among the graduates was Jason Lanzo, a unit manager administrator at Indian River, who was elected as the class speaker. In his message, he distilled more than 15 years of experience in juvenile justice to describe the traumatized condition of many youths who end up in the system. Those internal struggles and behavioral issues can present many challenges. He asked his peers to be mindful of three things in those situations - empathy, consistency, and hope.
"Hold hope for them until they can hold it for themselves," Lanzo said. "Because we work with youth, we're not just working in the present. We are truly shaping the future."
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Deputy Director and Chief Human Resources Officer Kelly East followed as the keynote speaker. East, who's been with the state since 1999 including the last four at DYS, discussed her journey in public service. What started as a job for a single mom just to get by and have health insurance for her family turned into a career filled with purpose and growth.
"The true reward of public service is knowing that your dedication contributed to a young person having a second chance," she said.
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We are incredibly grateful to all our new team members on board and are looking forward to all of you growing with us as an agency as we work toward transforming and saving lives.
To watch the ceremony highlight video, click or tap the image below.
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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 dedicated team. Here are a few of our "Staff Success Stories" below that inspire the youth and our fellow colleagues.
 Youth Specialist Talesha Weaver
Cuyahoga Hills
 Youth Specialist Trey Cameron
Cuyahoga Hills
 Business Administrator Kiera Ziegler
Cuyahoga Hills
 Youth Specialist Zaid Hightower
Cuyahoga Hills
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2025 Ohio Fall Guide
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With Fall officially here, our state has plenty to offer Ohio families. We want to take a moment to share the 2025 Ohio Fall Events Guide. This guide offers details on festivals, haunted houses, parties, and so much more for you to visit and attend throughout the state with your friends and families.
Click the image to access the events guide for the full list of events and activities!
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Youth Resources
Columbus:
Cincinnati:
Cleveland:
Local Resources:
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