Residential Services
David Lucey, Director

Introduction

The Juvenile Facilities Complex provides locked and unlocked residential placement and shelter care for male and female juveniles. The complex consists of two detention centers and four juvenile program facilities in a campus-style setting.

Lorain County Juvenile Detention Home
Boy's Detention Home 9967 S. Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria 44035
Girl's Detention Home 9911 S. Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria 44035

The purpose of the detention homes is to provide secure confinement of appropriate juveniles under age 18. Judges and Magistrates determine if detention is appropriate as indicated by statute or the Ohio Supreme Court Rules. Unruly or ungovernable youth may not be placed in detention beyond twenty-four hours. Delinquent youth may be confined to detention by an order of the Court up to a period of 90 days.

The Lorain County Detention Homes are licensed and monitored by the Ohio Department of Youth Services. The facilities are designed to house 44 males and 12 females. The staff ratio during daylight hours is 12:1, with a ratio increasing to 25:1 during the 10 - 6 am shift.

During the admission process, each youth is administered the MAYSI II which screens for mental health issues. Applewood Centers will conduct an assessment if issues are present. The medical staff is available, at any time, for consultation and have regularly scheduled hours. Within seven days of admission, the detention home nurse or doctor physically examines every juvenile and administers a tuberculosis screening.

While in detention, education continues year-round through the Educational Service Center of Lorain County. Upgrades now provide for twenty-five individual computer stations with emphasis placed on the state proficiency exams.

As a cost-cutting measure, the Girl's Detention Home was closed. The female residents were relocated to the Boys Detention Home at the end of 2008. Both male and female residents are housed in separate wings of the Boys Detention Home. During this period, the Court has attempted to maintain a population of 36 male and 12 female residents.

Pathways Group Home / Stepping Stone Residential Center
1076 Infirmary Rd., Elyria 44035
1064 Infirmary Rd., Elyria 44035

Pathways Group home and Stepping Stone Residential Center are non-secure court-operated programs for male and female offenders, ages 13-17. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services licenses and monitors the facilities, which are limited to 10 female and 20 males at any time.

Pathways and Stepping Stone prepare residents for successful reintegration into the community. The program assist juveniles in learning how to better manage personal problems and family issues, as well as develop an increased ability to access community resources, and set positive goals for the future.

Referrals to Pathways and Stepping Stone are made through an internal process of the Court. The Department of Probation and Youth Services, Investigation and Referral Team, Magistrates, Lorain County Children Services and mental health workers provide input in this process. A Judge makes the final determination and places appropriate candidates into the programs.

The formats at Pathways and Stepping Stone parallel each other. Each is a one-year program divided into two phases. Phase one is a minimum 21 week in-house stay. During this period of time, the child will participate in graduated off-grounds visits with their parent/guardian ranging from one to 72 hours. The child and parent/guardian will receive appropriate service on an individualized or group basis during this phase based on the residents case plan. Parental cooperation and participation is vital and expected. Also, each child will receive a physical examination within the first 60 days of placement with appropriate follow-up. If the child remains in placement beyond 21 weeks, a dental exam will be secured by the 180th day in placement. The Educational Service Center of Lorain County provides educational services for the residents of the facilities. Two certified teachers are present to work with residents.

Phase two is aftercare. The child will live at the home of the parent/guardian during this phase under the supervision of a Community Control Officer. Applicable services will be received during this phase on an individual basis.

Case plans are developed for each juvenile. Areas addressed through service providers include daily family issues, health, living skills, individual and family counseling, and drug and alcohol issues. The Stepping Stone residents have the opportunity to participate in the Boy Scouts.

Turning Point

Turning Point is a non-secure residential facility providing short-term care (maximum 14 days) for 5 males and 5 females ages 12-17. The juveniles are involved in domestic dispute situations or selected status offenses. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services licenses Turning Point. Turning Point provides 24-hour supervision and guidance by trained child-care staff. In addition, a full time social worker provides services to the juveniles and their families with appropriate community service referrals. In addition, youth who are involved in domestic disputes receive a domestic violence screening by Catholic Charities of Lorain County. Information from the screening is shared with the social worker to establish an appropriate reunification plan.

Admissions to the shelter are approved by the Intake Department and judicial orders. Turning Point does not function as a sentencing or dispositional alternative. The Shelter provides a program for youth in crisis or emergency situations.

The goal of Turning Point is to return the youth to their home after a brief respite without further intervention by the court.