“Holy Ground”: How Faith Grounds Youth at MacLaren
At MacLaren, faith can be simultaneously vibrant and ...
OYA Mentoring Builds Trust, Inspires Growth
January was National Mentoring Month, and mentoring plays a transformative role in the lives of OYA youth. Justice-involved youth often face significant challenges, including trauma, instability, and limited positive role models. Research from the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators underscores the importance of structured mentorship in reducing recidivism and supporting long-term success. By fostering trust ...
DEI in Action: Training Spotlight with Washington and Tillamook Field Offices
DEI has been an OYA Agency Key Initiative since 2019. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are necessary elements to create safer, more just, and thoughtful systems of care, communities, and employment for everyone. What does our DEI team do? They provide comprehensive support for the agency and collaborate closely with staff across the state. The team ...
OYA Partners with Looking Glass to Provide Specialized Mental Health Residential Treatment
OYA is excited to partner with Looking Glass Community Services to launch our first-ever psychiatric residential treatment and subacute mental health residential program. This initiative addresses the growing need for targeted support for youth with severe mental and behavioral health challenges. By diverting youth from correctional settings and into specialized care, we’re giving them an ...
Celebrating the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
On Monday, January 20, 2025, we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy. Dr. King was a phenomenal leader who understood that the struggle for equality and justice was more than just about the present moment. One of his more famous quotes was exactly about this: “The arc of the moral universe is long, ...
Supporting Youth: OYA Case Management Process Latest Updates
We’re updating our multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and case management process to create a more transparent, youth- and family-centered approach. We also want to ensure staff have the tools they need to deliver the best possible outcomes. OYA Transition Juvenile Parole and Probation Officer (TJPPO) Amy Meyerding explains, “The biggest change is that we’re finally ...