HARVEY J. REED, DIRECTOR OF OHIO DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES, TO SPEAK THIS FRIDAY

Mr. Reed was appointed Director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) by Governor Kasich in March 2011.
 
With over 39 years of experience working in Ohio’s juvenile corrections system, he is committed to connecting youth and their families. Under his leadership, DYS established a free transportation service for families of youth in DYS facilities, implemented a Family Finding program, and enhanced parole services to more fully engage families.
 
Director Reed is leading DYS to enhance community options for serving youth. Whenever possible, youth who are at lower risk to reoffend are served with appropriate treatment closer to family in their local communities. The DYS facility population was around 775 youth when Mr. Reed was appointed Director. In 2016, the average daily facility population was 488 youth.
 
Frequently Director Reed encourages youth by telling them, “Where you are doesn’t define who you are and what you can become.” With this belief core to his leadership style, DYS now uses a variety of evidence-based interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A Youthful Offender Release Identification Card is now provided upon a youth’s release to help access needed services such as housing, education and treatment. Through the “Second Chance Act,” mentoring services are assisting youth with reentry challenges. The Collateral Sanctions Bill (S.B. 337) reduces those barriers that continue to impact juveniles after incarceration in order to give youth a fresh start upon returning home.
 
Prior to his appointment to DYS, Mr. Reed was the Superintendent of the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center. Under his leadership, the detention center reduced its operational costs while preserving the safety and security of staff and residents. Mr. Reed was instrumental in improving services to the court and community, reducing hiring costs, achieving accreditation with multiple professional organizations and developing and managing an early release process for appropriate juveniles. 
 
Mr. Reed is a member of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, the American Correctional Association, the Ohio Correctional and Courts Services Association, the Ohio Wardens and Superintendents Association, the Ohio Ex-Offender Reentry Coalition, the Ohio Juvenile Detention Director’s Association and the Ohio Housing and Homelessness Collaborative. He earned a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati.