CLEVELAND—The Ohio Department of Youth Services (ODYS) has awarded approximately $30 million to Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court to launch a trauma-informed Community Correctional Facility (CCF). This new facility will offer intensive, trauma-responsive services in a secure environment, specifically designed to divert youth adjudicated of felony offenses from being committed to ODYS correctional institutions.
Cuyahoga County secured the funding through a competitive process involving Ohio’s three largest urban counties—Hamilton, Franklin and Cuyahoga. This opportunity emerged following Governor DeWine’s formation of the Juvenile Justice Working Group, tasked with evaluating juvenile justice challenges across the state. The group recommended ODYS invest in CCFs in each of the three counties, though funding was available for only one this year.
Currently, Ohio has 11 CCFs, none of which are located near Cuyahoga County. This geographic distance has created significant barriers for families and communities trying to stay engaged in treatment and aftercare planning, often leading to poorer outcomes for youth. Moreover, 70% of referrals from Cuyahoga County—many involving youth with violent or behavioral histories—have been rejected by out-of-county CCFs due to stringent admission criteria.
By establishing a local CCF, Cuyahoga County can tailor services to meet the specific needs of its youth. The proposal includes robust community involvement, featuring credible messengers, Restorative Justice Practices through Project Lift, and Trust-Based Relational Interventions to promote safety and healing. The program also incorporates mindfulness-based art and music therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, grief and loss support groups for youth affected by gun violence, and comprehensive family therapy.
“We are thrilled to be selected by the State of Ohio for the new Community Correctional Facility (CCF),” remarked Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Administrative Judge Thomas O’Malley. “A CCF in Cuyahoga County will allow us to provide treatment to youth that includes intensive involvement with their family and critical community support. This would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our County and community partners. The innovative design and programming for our CCF would not be possible without their guidance. We are excited to get started and grateful to the Ohio Department of Youth Services for their selection of Cuyahoga County.”
The Juvenile Court collaborated with a wide range of community partners—from grassroots organizations to behavioral health and trauma experts—to co-design a culturally responsive proposal. These partners will remain actively involved in the program’s development and ongoing quality improvement efforts.
The 32-bed facility will serve male and female youth with felony-level offenses, many of whom have experienced trauma and violence themselves. The CCF will focus on addressing the underlying causes of violence through trauma-informed care and fostering meaningful adult connections. It also aims to reduce gun violence by building resilience through prosocial activities and workforce development. Youth will re-enter their communities with stronger social bonds, family support, and mentorship to guide their transition.
Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court leadership attributes the success of the proposal to the steadfast support of community partners and county leadership over the past ten months. They extend their gratitude to Governor DeWine, Director Ast, and the entire ODYS leadership team for the opportunity to create a model CCF in Cuyahoga County.
