DYS Highlights Success and Partnerships in Recognition of Second Chance Month

COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is highlighting the importance of April as Second Chance Month and the agency's continuous commitment to providing reentry-related opportunities for justice-involved youth throughout the state.

"As DYS returns nearly 330 youth back into their communities each year, after averaging 16.5 months in our care, we emphasize the importance of collaboration," said DYS Director Amy Ast. "By engaging youth, staff, families, and community partners, we continue to provide a pipeline of opportunities for youth to successfully achieve their goals upon their release into our communities."

DYS offers a multitude of educational and vocational opportunities for the youth at the facilities. Along with providing youth with a high school education, the agency offers many industry credentials and skill certificates in areas including HVAC, welding, and more.

Additionally, DYS partners with career technical and vocational organizations to further expose youth to career pathways. Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC) is an Ohio technical center in Northeast Ohio that offers more than a dozen short-term training programs for Ohio's top jobs.

CVCC's partnership with the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility began in 2017. Since then, CVCC and DYS have trained more than 40 youths prior to their release with in-demand skills in areas such as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Fiber Optics.

"CVCC is excited about its continuing partnership with DYS and values positively impacting youth for the future," said Terri Lynn Brosseau, adult education director from Cuyahoga Valley Career Center.

DYS also partners with other state agencies to prepare youth for professional opportunities outside the juvenile justice system. Each facility has an OhioMeansJobs center, and DYS also partners with the Ohio Department of Commerce to provide information to youth on career and skilled trades opportunities.

Separately, DYS works with The Trades Institute and other partners to allow select youth to take an HVAC program with future prospects of obtaining a job after their completion and release.

The DYS facilities also host Reentry Resource Fairs with dozens of organizations in attendance, which includes Cuyahoga Hills' fair last year where a youth was later released and obtained a job in construction as a result of the event.