The term Information Technology can mean a lot of things. But what does IT look like and what all is done when it’s within a government agency, especially now in an age of emerging technology or AI.

In this episode, we look at how DYS is helping advance safety and improve the lives of young people, families, and communities through our IT team.
Panelists include: Chief Information Officer Brian Hernandez, IT Project Manager Kara Peterson, and IT Manager Shawn Davis.

Every workplace has a training process. At DYS, we have a Training Academy. The people there provide a foundation of knowledge and skills for hundreds of new employees each year. They also help seasoned staff grow by providing professional development and other various trainings through the evolution of evidence-based practices.

The panel that discusses how it all comes together includes Superintendent Dr. Anna Wise, Technology-Based Training Developer Sara Bowling, and Academy Training Developer Sheila Fryson.

DYS is always looking to evolve and advance its efforts to improve outcomes for the youth in our care and our staff. This conversation delves into the data the agency collects and how it’s applied to advance that mission through our Best Practices Institute.
The panel includes Executive Director Dr. Jordan Argus, Policy Administrator Benita Neely, and ACA Administrator Shanequah Frazier.

We hear from the people in DYS who oversee the agency's largest spectrum in the juvenile justice continuum. Their work ranges from the front end where they invest millions of dollars to deter thousands of youths from the justice system every year to how they walk with youths on their reentry journeys while on parole.

This episode discusses the programs within the facilities that help youth with their transitions into adulthood and back to the community through the development of communication skills, relationships, and career paths.

The panelists for this episode include Bureau Chief of Program & Unit Management Jack Vicencio, Cuyahoga Hills Reentry Coordinator Mark Dobrzynski, Circleville Program Administrator Denise Conrad, and Indian River Chaplain Kimberly Dove.

This episode details the educational efforts of DYS through its school system, the Buckeye United School District. Educators describe how an average day in a DYS facility is very similar to a public school. And we hear from educators the working done to help young people overcome personal and environmental challenges that often results in young men not attending school for years before they end up in DYS. In many cases, the young men in DYS care become the first in their families to graduate high school.

Buckeye United Superintendent Dr. Michael Jackson is joined by the principals of each high school:

-Dr. Michelle Milner (Ralph C. Starkey High School at Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility)

-Daniel Hanstein (Luther E. Ball at Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility)

-Jacob Steuer (Indian River High School at Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility)

This episode provides a day-to-day glimpse of the agency and its operations. When a facility holds between 150 and 200 youth, that means there are a lot of people and moving parts to provide them with living essentials, education, and enrichment.
Deputy Director of Facilities, Programs, and Operations Chris Freeman, Circleville Unit Manager Charle Locklear, and Indian River Youth Specialist Tony Miler paint the picture of what goes on and how it all happens.

The parole and reentry teams play pivotal roles in DYS youth development, especially as they transition back to the community.

As part of our spotlight on Second Chance Month, aka Reentry Month, Bureau Chief of Parole Bruce Graham, Reentry Administrator Chris Crine, and Community Engagement Liaison Carmen Dorman discussed the work being done at DYS facilities and with community partners and families to assist in youth transformations.