Youth Education & Intervention Services

399 South Front Street

Columbus, Ohio 43215

(614) 525-4460

(614) 525-3969

(614) 525-4901 (Fax)

Click Service/Program Name for Contact Information and Department Details

Mission Statement: "The mission of Youth Education and Intervention Services is to divert unruly/delinquent youth from penetrating further into the Juvenile Justice System through effective prevention, intervention and treatment services that strengthen families and restore the lives of troubled youth."

Vision Statement: "Youth Education and Intervention Services strives to achieve excellence in providing innovative programming, education, intervention and restorative services to victims, offenders, communities, youth and families in Franklin County."

Intake Services

Intake/Diversion Officers work with families, social workers, hospitals, and attorneys to screen cases on a daily basis. Intake/Diversion Officers provide a screening process for cases of abuse, neglect or dependency that family members or in some instances professionals who have direct knowledge of abuse, neglect or dependency of children must complete before formal court intervention is initiated. Through Youth Education & Intervention Services, families have access to the Court to have their cases reviewed by filing a motion. Pre-dispositional motions can be filed through Youth Education & Intervention Services by anyone who has an interest in the case. Post-dispositional motions can only be filed through Youth Education & Intervention Services by parent(s) and/or custodians and only if there are current orders to Franklin County Children Services. Intake/Diversion Officers are also responsible for processing certifications from other counties or other courts, adult criminal cases involving adults and children, consent to marry cases and judicial "by-pass" cases. Intake/Diversion Officers make referrals to community resources if Court intervention is not warranted.

Diversion Services

In collaboration with the Franklin County Juvenile Prosecutor’s office, first-time misdemeanor offenders are referred to the Youth Education & Intervention Services Intake/Diversion Unit by the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and Juvenile Magistrates. Youth referred to Youth Education & Intervention Services are scheduled to appear, with their parent or guardian, before an Intake/Diversion Officer. Once assessed, the diverted youth may be referred to a number of community based programs including Directions for Youth, Franklin County Children Services or a variety of other programs that are based in the Franklin County area. Additionally, youth diverted from traditional court can be referred to Court managed programs such as Teen Court, Juvenile Restorative Justice Circles, Community Service and Mediation. Successful completion of the diversion process can result in the youth not having a formal court record. Failure to successfully complete diversion results in youth being charged formally.

Unruly/Incorrigible Youth Services

Parents who are having difficulty with their teenage son or daughter may come to the Youth Education & Intervention Services Department to meet with an Intake worker, once other resources have been exhausted. The parent and child will meet with the staff member in an attempt to resolve home conflicts or unruly or incorrigible behaviors. An assessment tool will be used to determine if any mental health or behavioral issues exist and the child will be referred to either Franklin County Children Services or Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Additionally, the intake worker will assist the parent with a formal unruly/incorrigible complaint which will be filed in the Juvenile Court and scheduled for preliminary hearing. Should services be successfully implemented the formal filing will be dismissed at the preliminary hearing. If services are not successfully implemented the Juvenile Court may issue a temporary order of custody of the child to Franklin County Children Services.

School Truancy Services

Franklin County Domestic Relations Court and Juvenile Branch currently has a grant funded Truancy Intervention and Prevention Program (TIPP). TIPP Truancy Officers are partnered with local school districts to enforce the state attendance laws. Staff meet with and monitor students in the school setting to address violations of attendance policies. Additionally, staff educate parents and students about applicable laws, issue warnings to youth/parents who violate attendance policies, and file formal complaints. 

Restorative Justice Circles Program

Restorative Justice Circles address the victim’s needs and harms, hold the offender accountable, and include the community needs and concerns. Community volunteers provide juveniles with the opportunity to repair the harm done to their victims and to make a positive contribution to their own community. Restorative Justice Circles act as an arm to the Court bringing together the juvenile offender and his/her parent(s), the victim, and members of the community. The participants discuss the offense, ask questions, and make decisions as to how the offender should take responsibility for his or her actions. These decisions are made in the form of an agreement to be signed by all parties involved. The Restorative Justice Circle and Juvenile Court staff then monitor the juvenile’s progress. Successful completion of this diversion process can result in the youth not having a formal court record.

Teen Court Program

Teen Court is a community-based, Court-operated intervention program designed to provide an alternative response from the juvenile justice system for the first-time misdemeanor offender. Teen Court adheres to the restorative justice theory, which is based on the premise of accountability to the victim and community, as well as adding an educational component. Teens, having admitted their involvement to various charges, receive their sentencing from other teens. Teen defendants in turn, serve as jurors, attorneys or bailiffs in the cases of other teens. This provides teens with the opportunity to impact other peers in a productive and positive way by imposing appropriate and fair dispositions (sentences). Teen Court holds juvenile offenders accountable and provides educational enlightenment for the youth into the juvenile justice system. It is with this information and knowledge that the youthful offender becomes better equipped to make better life choices, change negative behaviors and leads to the enhancement of public safety. Successful completion of this diversion process can result in the youth not having a formal court record.