The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) was established as an independent department on January 1, 1996. During our brief ten-year history, we have witnessed a number of significant changes, have continued to evolve as an agency, and have accomplished a great deal. Certainly our move from the child welfare model that existed prior to our establishment as a separate agency to a public safety model has been the catalyst for the many changes we’ve experienced as well as our successes.

 

Two things that have not changed are our goal to provide the most effective services and interventions to the offenders placed in our custody and the quality of our staff that deliver those services and interventions. The OYA has developed a national reputation for developing and applying the most effective practices for the rehabilitation of offenders. Our leadership and innovation in the field of juvenile justice would never be possible without the dedicated professionals that comprise the Oregon Youth Authority.

 

Our collective endeavor to provide reformation and hold offenders accountable is an essential part of promoting safe communities and safe citizens. We have built a diverse and skilled workforce that enhances community safety.

 

Looking to the future, we will continue our pursuit of being an agency of excellence.

Part of that pursuit is upholding the highest standards of public service. These standards are demonstrated by staff every day as we engage offenders in reformation activities, interact with our stakeholders, and serve the public.

 

The agency mission, values, and principles contained in the OYA policy manual are the framework of our pursuit. They reflect the competence, professionalism, and good judgment that staff manifest every day in each and every work environment. These documents tangibly reflect our pursuit of excellence. Our mission, values, and principles of conduct capture in a public way how we carry out the business of public service. As such, we are not “raising the bar” for our conduct but are stating publicly what it means to be a juvenile justice professional in the OYA, as already exhibited day in and day out by OYA staff.

 

As we move forward creating the next ten years of OYA history, our mission, values and principles serve as the foundation of what we will accomplish together as an agency. I am proud to be your Director.