Ohio Department of Youth Services

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Ohio Department of Youth Services The Ohio Department of Youth Services is the juvenile corrections system for the state of Ohio. DYS touches the lives of thousands of youth in Ohio.

DYS is statutorily mandated to confine felony offenders, ages 10 to 21, who have been adjudicated and committed by one of Ohio's 88 county juvenile courts. Beyond youth in DYS facilities and those on parole, DYS funds and supports 664 community programs throughout the state offering more than 88,000 youth (based on annual program admissions) opportunities and services to encourage positive change. These range from prevention and diversion programs to residential treatment and community treatment in areas such as mental health, s*x offending and substance abuse. PROVIDING FEEDBACK: Because of our limited ability to adequately monitor and respond to comments posted on Facebook, individuals who are interested in providing feedback to the Department of Youth Services are encouraged to contact us via telephone at 614-466-4314 or by emailing [email protected]. Our core values:
-All people can change.
-Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.
-Every life matters.
-We strive to provide youth everything they need to succeed.
-We want the best for youth, and we believe in families.
-We believe in being good role models. DISCLAIMER: Posted comments, images and links do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Youth Services.

🌟 STAFF SUCCESS STORY 🌟 The work toward transforming and saving young lives depends on staff who are willing to make a ...
10/20/2026

🌟 STAFF SUCCESS STORY 🌟

The work toward transforming and saving young lives depends on staff who are willing to make a commitment to continuous growth and learning from day one.

Since arriving at Circleville, Tiffany has shown nothing but initiative. Observant and inquisitive, she has embraced every opportunity to grow in her role and turn her curiosity into confidence.

Thank you, Tiffany for stepping into this work with such grace. Circleville is extraordinarily lucky to have you on the team!

At DYS, our approach to victim advocacy doesn’t stop at awareness. Domestic Violence Awareness Month reminds us that the...
10/19/2026

At DYS, our approach to victim advocacy doesn’t stop at awareness. Domestic Violence Awareness Month reminds us that the voices of survivors play an important role in promoting accountability, supporting restoration, and contributing to safer, stronger communities across Ohio.

The Office of Victim Services (OVS) helps victims understand their rights and navigate opportunities to participate in habilitation. By standing alongside survivors, OVS amplifies their voices, honors their choices, and empowers victims to make informed decisions about their level of involvement in the juvenile justice process.

Learn more about OVS here: https://dys.ohio.gov/about-us/divisions/04-release-authority

At DYS, educational programming is a central component in upholding our agency’s commitment to youth transformation and ...
10/19/2026

At DYS, educational programming is a central component in upholding our agency’s commitment to youth transformation and success.

This year, two leaders in correctional education from our Buckeye United School District (BUSD) team received national honors at the Correctional Educational Association ’s annual conference for their distinguished contributions to the education of justice involved students:

📖 BUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Jackson received the The Correctional Education Advocate Award for his role in shaping policies and programs that expand educational opportunities that help youth make the most of second chances.
✏️ Education Administrator/Technology and EMIS Director Akeyla Ragland was recognized with the Corrections Education Learning with Technology Award for her innovative use of technology to strengthen teaching, expand accessibility, and improve student outcomes.

From developing educational initiatives to enhancing digital learning solutions, Dr. Jackson and Ms. Ragland’s work reflects our agency’s ongoing, strategic investments toward a future where every young person has the potential to learn and thrive. Thank you both, and congratulations on this recognition! 🏆

As we celebrate National Principals Month at DYS, we highlight the continuous hard work by our high school principals. J...
10/17/2026

As we celebrate National Principals Month at DYS, we highlight the continuous hard work by our high school principals.

Jacob Steuer, principal at Indian River High School, recognized his team’s growth as he goes into his 12th year as a School Administrator at IRHS. As principal, Steuer has overseen initiatives in career development, portfolio building, and the increase of opportunities for students at IRHS.

Thank you Principal Steuer, for your efforts toward the betterment of our youth!

After 22 years of service to the State of Ohio, including eight years with DYS, we celebrated the retirement of Youth Sp...
10/16/2026

After 22 years of service to the State of Ohio, including eight years with DYS, we celebrated the retirement of Youth Specialist Elvin Shaw.

Elvin’s dedication to safety and security and drive to go above and beyond for any facility need made him an invaluable asset to our team.

Thank you, Elvin, for your years of service and dedication to our agency. Happy retirement! 🎉

In honor of National Principals Month, we recognize the leadership of Principal Daniel Hanstein at Luther E. Ball High S...
10/16/2026

In honor of National Principals Month, we recognize the leadership of Principal Daniel Hanstein at Luther E. Ball High School in Cuyahoga Hills.

Principal Hanstein approaches his role with a strong commitment to student growth and wellbeing. He believes students need to know they are valued and supported, no matter their current circumstances, and he works to create a school environment where staff have the tools and support, they need to help students thrive. Under his leadership, students are given the opportunity to achieve more than they may have thought possible.

Thank you, Principal Hanstein, for your continued commitment to Ohio's students and for strengthening the educational community you serve.

One former DYS youth is determined to ensure her progress continues beyond supervision. Eliyana Bermudez has used initia...
10/15/2026

One former DYS youth is determined to ensure her progress continues beyond supervision. Eliyana Bermudez has used initiative and foresight to her advantage as she works toward independence.

Knowing that support services will not last forever, the young lady maintained a demanding work schedule and even picked up a second job to remain eligible for the Ohio Department of Children and Youth BRIDGES program. At the same time, she aimed to create a financial cushion to help sustain the stability she has achieved when she ages out of the program.

Always teachable and consistently seeking guidance from her service providers, she has upheld a flawless record with zero parole violations. Her great strides recently earned recognition from the Central Ohio Restored Citizens' Collaborative, which honored her with the Ohio Youth Achievement Award for her commitment to a brighter future. 🌟

And well deserved! We can't wait to see how else Eliyana makes the most of what lies ahead.

Fueling youth transformation begins with meeting essential needs! We’re looking for multiple Cooks to join our purpose-d...
10/15/2026

Fueling youth transformation begins with meeting essential needs! We’re looking for multiple Cooks to join our purpose-driven team at the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility.

In this critical role, you'll prepare and serve meals, maintain a sanitary kitchen, and help ensure reliable food service operations that support the daily health, structure, and well-being of justice-involved youth.

Why join the DYS team?
🎁 Access to comprehensive medical, free dental & vision premiums, robust OPERS retirement, and public service loan forgiveness eligibility through State of Ohio Benefits.
✨ Explore secondary education and professional development resources to help you develop your skills and plan for the future.
🍳 Share your knowledge of food service while helping youth develop practical skills in food preparation, sanitation, and kitchen safety.

Ready to be part of something bigger? 👉 Take the next step and apply today: bit.ly/4ye54nr

October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an important time for DYS to renew our commitment to protecting sensitive d...
10/15/2026

October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an important time for DYS to renew our commitment to protecting sensitive data. Given the confidential nature of juvenile justice records and youth information, our security standards must remain exceptionally high.

To protect our data, multi-factor authentication is a best practice we can follow to keep our accounts secure. 🛡️

After 31 years of service to DYS, we celebrated the retirement of Mark Dobrzynski, a Program Administrator at our Cuyaho...
10/14/2026

After 31 years of service to DYS, we celebrated the retirement of Mark Dobrzynski, a Program Administrator at our Cuyahoga Hills facility.

Mark’s dedication, integrity, and compassion have defined his leadership. All his amazing efforts have led to an increase in programs, volunteers, participants at resource fairs, and much more. He has been an invaluable part of our DYS mission.

Thank you, Mark, for your decades of service to our agency. We wish you a well-deserved and happy retirement! 🎉

Address

30 W. Spring Street
Columbus, OH
43215

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16144664314

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