Marking a significant step toward rehabilitation and opportunity, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) Director Amy Ast heralded the opening of a new career technology center at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility. The new facility, nested within Ralph C. Starkey High School, aims to provide justice-involved youth with the educational and vocational training essential for reintegration into society.
"All kids deserve the opportunity to live up to their full potential, including the justice-involved youth at DYS," Governor DeWine remarked in a ceremony that saw the inauguration of this new beacon of hope. Opportunities seem to be on the rise for these youth, who can now look forward to acquiring skills that employers are actively seeking. According to Governor DeWine's statement, skills that are "in demand" will be part of the curriculum, ensuring these youths are not left behind.
The center expands career pathways for its students with programs in hospitality and tourism, construction technologies, media arts, and transportation systems. These new avenues are lined with the prospect of completing industry credentials and skill certifications critical to competitive employment post-release. Among the certifications offered are forklift operation, food management and safety, and various construction trades, detailed in the official announcement from the Governor's office.
Emphasizing the significance of the initiative, Director Ast said, "The administration’s investment speaks to our alignment as an agency and school district with the ever-increasing value of career and technical programs and opportunities." She expressed an eager anticipation for the developmental prospects of their credentials and partnerships, believing the future shines brightly with such a resource available to the facility's youths. This sentiment was echoed in her comments to the press.
The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) played a pivotal role in the materialization of the Career Technology Center, overseeing the design and construction while ensuring state compliance and quality standards were met. The project utilized state capital budget funding, affirming Ohio's commitment to educational advancement and rehabilitative support for the youth at DYS.
