Gardner to host forum on youth academy

4/8/2006

An Ohio senator who asked the state to investigate a Wood County youth academy is hosting a public forum on Monday regarding state laws and regulations pertaining to such facilities.

State Sen. Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green) announced that the meeting about the Pemberville Youth Academy will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. at Pemberville Public Library, 375 East Front St.

The youth academy is a 20-bed facility on Kahler Road in Freedom Township that houses male juveniles ages 12 to 17 years old who are in county custody and have too many problems to live in most foster homes.

Senator Gardner said he called the meeting because he has received phone calls and e-mails from a handful of people who have raised safety concerns about the facility.

Questions about the academy's license and original charter also have arisen.

Senator Gardner has invited officials with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Youth Services to answer questions at the forum. Also attending will be Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn.