COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is calling for more than two dozen changes to the state’s juvenile justice system, based off recommendations from a working group he put together nine months ago.
“One of our top priorities is the protection of children,” DeWine said. “All children deserve the opportunity to live up to their full god given potential and that means all children.”
“While we have our work cut out for us, I truly believe these recommendations will serve as a roadmap as we head into a new and positive direction to reshape, reshape juvenile justice in Ohio,” said Amy Ast, Director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS).
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After nine months of work, the governor’s Juvenile Justice Working Group has put forth 26 recommendations. For example — increasing behavioral health resources for youth by doing things like creating an additional staff position to focus on gang behaviors and providing more consistent treatment and continuity of care to DYS youth.