I believe the Juvenile Court should be more than a mechanism of punishment for youthful offenders who enter the juvenile justice system. The Juvenile Court must hold children responsible for their actions, but the court should also seek ways to introduce proper programming and guidance to help children to turn their lives around and become productive members of society.

By networking with the wealth of social service agencies in Summit County and by enhancing, expanding and creating programs within the court, I have provided our at-risk youths with useful alternatives.

I recognize that most people do not to the Court voluntarily. The clients that walk through our doors are there because they have reached a point of crisis in their lives. Many have lost custody of their children. Others seek to gain custody of children related to them because circumstances such as military service, death, incarceration or disability has caused a separation of a child they care for from their family. Still others are there because a child has made poor choices that have caused the child to be charged as a delinquent or unruly child. Our job becomes to work with families to help them through these times of crisis so that they can properly care for their children and so that the children can lead responsible productive lives.

As a former teacher, I recognize the importance of education. As a result, I have intensified our work to require that children attend school. I work closely with our Truancy Task Force and our Family Resource Center to assist schools and families in returning youth to appropriate educational programming. In addition, a library has been added in both the Family Resource Center and in the Detention Center to encourage youth to improve their reading skills. Tutoring services are available to youth on probation and in detention. A Greenhouse and garden on the campus help children to learn about growing vegetables and flowers. The food grown becomes part of the detention center menu. Excess food is donated to local food banks.

It is also important to educate the community on the Juvenile Justice System. My staff and I have been available to speak to students and groups about various aspects of Juvenile Justice. Additionally, a Teen Court has been put in place to allow students, who receive training from the Court in the area of restorative justice, to serve as lawyers, bailiffs and jurors in deciding real cases that come before the court. The youthful offender receives a benefit as his or her low level offense is dismissed if the Teen Court disposition is completed. The participating students also benefit because they learn about the Justice System through their own participation. A “Court in the Community” project takes the Court on the road to give community members an opportunity to see the Court in action.
I also recognize the importance of appropriate consequences for low-level offenses. First time traffic offenders and youth charged for the first time with possession of alcohol can participate in educational programs conducted on the campus by qualified experts and receive a dismissal of their charge. Similar programs, including a Victim Impact Panel, are likewise conducted on campus for more serious offenders who are in need of more intensive educational programming.

I have also opened our doors to area agencies that conduct parenting classes for parents of troubled teens, parenting classes for teen parents, sex offender treatment groups and independent living programs on our campus. Speakers on children’s issues are frequently on campus to instruct staff and other members of the community on issues such as education, treatment, child development and CPR.

The Court’s CASA/Guardian ad Litem Program is the largest in the State of Ohio. This program consists of a Staff funded by the Court and trained volunteers from the community that become the voice of the abused, neglected or dependent child in Dependency, Neglect and Abuse Cases filed in the Court. Through collaboration with the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services, I have been able to expand the Guardian ad Litem Services available to these children by hiring a staff of trained social workers to be case managers in the most complicated cases.

The Crossroads Program that I instituted has been recognized nationally for its innovative method for dealing with youth involved with the Juvenile Justice System who are either mentally ill, substance dependent or both.

My goal of having of a Family Resource Center as a community clearinghouse for families seeking to locate help for children who struggle with a myriad of problems is now a reality. In addition to being available for walk-ins who wish to browse our materials or seek a referral, qualified court-involved families can receive case management services to assist them in such areas as teen pregnancy, teen parenthood, school difficulties, employment needs, family domestic violence, and re-entry to the community from residential or institutional care.

We have also taken steps to improve the quality of services provided in the detention center. Numerous speakers come into the Detention Center to instruct youth on issues such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Street Law, Art, Substance Use, and Shaken Baby Syndrome, to name but a few. Children who come into the Detention Center receive a substance abuse and mental health screening from employees of the Akron Health Department who are located on our campus. Certified teachers assigned to our building by the Akron Public Schools conduct classes daily. Tutoring services are also available. The Court employs a Psychologist who is available for emergency consultation. A medical clinic staffed by a physician and nurses from Children’s Hospital are also located in the Detention Center. Dental care can also be made available for detention center youth. True North, a faith based organization, provides volunteers to mentor youth and conduct bible studies for youth who desire to do so.

The other advancements that I have made at the Juvenile Court are outlined throughout this web site. I hope that you will take the time to read about them and email the site if you have questions or suggestions. I remain committed to giving Summit County the finest Juvenile Court in the country and respectfully request that you give me that opportunity by supporting my bid for re-election with your vote.

-Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio