We are very excited to share our most recent newsletter highlighting our agency's efforts throughout the month of April. Some areas of focus include Reentry/Second Chance Month, Volunteer Appreciation Week, and the work of our Occupational Therapists: bit.ly/3SAmB7f

Learn more about the success of our CrossFit pilot program that has now turned into a multi-partner collaboration. The program has trickled down to our CCFs in order to transform the lives of youth here in Ohio: bgindependentmedia.org/physical-fitne…

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten.

🧦 GIVING BACK IN A BIG WAY 🧦 For the 2nd straight year, DYS & Hamilton County Juvenile Court held a competition in which we collected more than 5,000 pairs of socks. The socks were donated to our partners Shoes 4 the Shoeless for at-risk children in SW Ohio. bit.ly/42kY8by

DID YOU KNOW over 70% of youth at our state facilities are on the mental health caseload? In recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to acknowledge how we utilize our expertise and resources to enhance care in facilities and across communities: bit.ly/3SXVhzI

NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH A youth at our Cuyahoga Hills facility has withstood incredibly difficult situations, including losing his parents before he was 16. DYS staff inspired him to work through his struggles & encouraged him to voice his thoughts & feelings through poetry.

Employee of the Year Yvette Hester has dedicated 14 yrs to transforming young men at our Cuyahoga Hills facility. She has a similar passion in her home life. ❤️ Foster mom for 20 yrs ❤️ 20 placements ❤️ Two adoptions 📺 bit.ly/4kPk2Kx #NationalFosterCareMonth #Thrivein25

We are making transportation available to families and guardians of DYS youth. Check out the latest dates and times for transportation to our facilities below. Learn more here: dys.ohio.gov/youth-and.../r…

🎓 Kicking off our graduation season, we would like to extend our congratulations to the nearly 20 graduates from our Circleville facility for achieving this significant milestone. We celebrated this momentous occasion with over 150 people - thank you to all staff and families 🎉

Several DYS members attended the Ohio Wardens & Superintendents Association Conference with Ohio DRC. Wardens, superintendents, regional admins, unit mgmt. leaders, & many others attend annually. Our staff networked, attended workshops, and more with others in our line of work.

Four new juvenile judges recently visited our Circleville facility for a understanding of what happens to youth when they're sentenced to DYS. Thanks to Judges Bennett (Scioto Co.), Engler (Trumbull), Kreitzer (Stark), & Stoner (Lucas) for learning how we transform & save lives.

Many of us don't appreciate the value of time ⌚until something life changing. For 11 young men at Indian River facility, they have a better understanding of the time needed to be successful and achieve dreams as new high school graduates. 🎓 CONGRATULATIONS! 🥳#thrivein25

This week, Luther E. Ball HS at Cuyahoga Hills JCF held the last of our spring graduations where 21 youths achieved a major life goal despite difficult circumstances. “If this journey has taught us anything, it is that we're strong enough to overcome anything that comes our way."

Preservice graduations have messages of how our work can positively transform youths. One of the 25 people to join our family this week is a former DYS youth who wants to serve others the way our staff poured into her. We're so happy to have Monesha & the whole class on our team.

👔 Happy Father’s Day to all the dads on our staff, mentors, and father figures who show up with patience, strength, and love—especially in the lives of justice-involved youth. Today, we honor the role fathers play in healing, growth, and hope. 💙 #FathersDay #PositiveFatherhood

As we gear up for this week's Unity CrossFit Games at our Indian River facility with youth, law enforcement and first responders, check out our highlight video from a CrossFit competition between our three facilities last year: youtu.be/MrD7iDt03_Y?si…

Some of our favorite moments to capture are our high school graduations. 🎓 Circleville started off this graduation season with nearly 20 young men achieving the major life goal. Adding to the unforgettable experience was more than 150 family and staff members in attendance. 🎉

Happy #Juneteenth as we commemorate when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received news of their freedom. We honor the resilience, liberation, and ongoing pursuit of equality. Thank you to all our staff as we celebrate the holiday, especially to those working today!

Caps off to our incredible graduates at Indian River! 🎓 We're so proud of all you've achieved. A huge thank you to our amazing teachers for guiding them every step of the way! #Graduation #TeacherAppreciation #EducationMatters #ThriveIn25

What an inspiring day recently at Cuyahoga Hills! We celebrated our high school graduates who are ready for the next chapter. This wouldn't be possible without the unwavering commitment of our educators—thank you for making a difference! #YouthSuccess #EducationMatters