It's an informative journey about juvenile justice through the many branches of the Ohio Department of Youth Services. The program will help explain the work done by the agency in youth habilitation to transform and save lives.
The Work That Goes Into Discharging Youth and Supporting Survivors
The final stop in the juvenile justice continuum for DYS youth is the Release Authority. The entity determines whether a youth has met the conditions of their sentence to be released from a facility and from state supervision while on parole. It also includes the Office of Victim Services, which notifies survivors of a youth's status while also giving offenders a chance to show remorse and growth through the Victim Empathy Awareness Program.
23 Mar 2026
Episode 11: Using Innovation and AI to Advance Juvenile Justice
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.
2 Feb 2026
Episode 10: Training and Evolving Juvenile Justice Professionals
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...
3 Nov 2025
Episode 9: How Data, Analytics, and AI Can Improve Youth & Staff Outcomes
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.
29 Sept 2025
Episode 8: Keeping Youths Out of the Justice System from the Front to Back End
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.
26 Aug 2025
Episode 7: Programs to Help with Transitions and Transformations
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.
16 Jul 2025
Episode 6: How Education Reshapes Young Lives
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 gra...
27 May 2025
Episode 5: What Happens Daily at a Juvenile Facility
Chris Freeman, Charle Locklear, and Tony Miler describe the daily operations within a juvenile facility, highlighting the complexities of providing essential services, education, and enrichment to a large population of youth.
29 Apr 2025
Episode: Recognizing Reentry and Parole for Second Chance Month
The parole and reentry teams play pivotal roles in DYS youth development, especially as they transition back to the community. Bureau Chief of Parole Bruce Graham, Reentry Administrator Chris Crine, and Community Engagement Liaison Carmen Dorman discuss the work being done at DYS facilities, community partners, and families to assist in youth transformation.
27 Mar 2025
Episode 3: Spotlight on Social Work Professionals
This episode shines a light on our behavioral health team while recognize their invaluable as part of National Social Work Month. Chief of Behavioral Health Services Ryan Smith, Behavioral Health Administrator Abby Baumann, and Behavioral Health Provider Hannah Durica discuss the types of disorders and trauma that many of our youth endure. They then elaborated on the methods the behavioral health team uses to empower young men trying to change and leave behind their troubled pasts.
20 Feb 2025
Episode 2: Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts
We highlight DYS' anti-human trafficking efforts on the heels of Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January. Guest Chelsea Gaffey discusses her role as the agency's Human Trafficking Liaison and the work she does state and nationwide to help prevent trafficking, protect survivors, and prosecute traffickers. Her duties include supporting survivors who have been identified after placement in DYS; educating and training hundreds of DYS and juvenile court staff annually about human traff...
17 Jan 2025
Episode 1: Get to know DYS and its leaders
This is an overview about the Department of Youth Services. Director Amy L. Ast and Assistant Director Ginine M. Trim share how they have grown through the agency and the justice system(0:40) What is the Department of Youth Services?(1:54) How long Director Ast and Assistant Director Trim have been with the agency and the different roles they've had in their rise from corrections officers. (4:00) The importance of varied experience for leadership positions within DYS.(5:55) The explanati...
Who has been a guest on DYS Podcast: The Future in Focus
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Chris Freeman
Charle Locklear
Tony Miler
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact DYS Podcast: The Future in Focus
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of DYS Podcast: The Future in Focus?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
