DYS Partners with Uber for Business to Break Transportation Barriers for Justice-Involved Youth

COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) announced a partnership with Uber for Business to solve one of the most persistent hurdles facing justice-involved youth: reliable transportation. Through the launch of the Uber Transportation Voucher Project, DYS is providing youth reentering Ohio communities with a critical lifeline to education, employment, and essential services.

The initiative addresses the "mobility gap" that can lead to missed appointments, work absences, and potential recidivism. Eligible young people moving back into communities after serving a period of time at DYS - all of whom are 18 or older - receive weekly vouchers for 10 to 12 rides to pre-approved locations, including job interviews, workplaces, college campuses, and counseling sessions.

The program initially piloted in the Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton regions, resulting in higher attendance rates at work and school among youth served. DYS is now expanding the program to support all eligible youth who have been successfully released from its facilities.

"I am so proud of the work from our team on solidifying this important partnership," said DYS Director Amy Ast. "This is a pivotal step in the right direction in finding an innovative solution to transportation for the young people that leave DYS. This is a game-changer in helping youth fulfill all their hopes and dreams as they become better citizens in our communities."

"By removing this transportation barrier, we are empowering youth to consistently access crucial opportunities, such as attending college orientation, keeping employment, and successfully engaging in the activities necessary for a positive future," said Mike Garrett, Deputy Director of the Community-Based Innovation and Solutions Division.

Unlike traditional transportation models, the Uber for Business platform offers DYS rigorous oversight:

• Precision Control: Rides are restricted to specific dates, times, and destinations.
• Fiscal Responsibility: DYS only pays for rides that are taken, ensuring maximum efficiency of taxpayer dollars.
• Skill Building: Youth manage their own vouchers through the Uber app, reinforcing responsibility and self-reliance.

Ohio's Uber Transportation Voucher Project mirrors similar programs, including a successful project in Miami, Florida.

"Uber's collaboration with the Ohio Department of Youth Services enables justice-involved youth to reliably show up to the opportunities that provide a second chance-whether that's school, a job interview, or counseling," said Josh Butler, General Manager and Global Head of Sales, Uber for Business. "We're proud to support DYS in helping young people stay on track for a more stable future. As we deepen our work with the public sector, collaborations like this underscore the real-world impact Uber has."

By bridging the gap between a youth's home and their responsibilities, Uber and DYS are not just providing a ride - they are providing a path to long-term independence for justice-involved youth.