June 25, 2009
Judicial College Helps Develop Juvenile Correction Officer Training Curriculum
A comprehensive training curriculum for Ohio juvenile detention center officers is available for the first time with the help of the Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College.
The Judicial College worked with the Lake County, Mahoning County and Medina County juvenile courts last year to pilot the training curriculum for entry-level juvenile detention facility correction officers in those three counties, according to Kristopher Steele, Judicial College Family Law Education manager.
Since that time, the curriculum has been further refined and finalized, Steele said. In addition, the Judicial College’s involvement will continue in 2010 by offering “train the trainer” sessions for those who will teach the curriculum as well as providing follow-up training in 2011.
Designed to help officers confront the challenges of an ever-changing juvenile detention population, effectively respond to the needs of detained youth and reduce identified training deficiencies, the pilot program incorporates evidence-based curriculum and practices from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) and National Juvenile Detention Association. A state grant funded the development of the curriculum.
Steele said those most aware of officers’ needs – people with juvenile detention center experience – created the curriculum. “The training will help officers be consistent in the way they handle youth,” he said.
It is hoped that the training will reduce staff turnover, increase employee morale and improve relationships between staff members and incarcerated youth.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.