Wood County Juvenile Court hosts 32nd school administrators and service providers meeting

File photo: Wood County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge David Woessner

Area school administrators and service providers heard about the programs and resources available to schools and families throughout the county during the 32nd meeting hosted by Wood County Juvenile Court and Judge David Woessner.

He provided information about the juvenile court’s Intervention and Diversion Program, the Safe and Healthy Sexuality Program, drug testing and other ongoing available resources.

In addition, Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Dobson and Charles Bergman, Wood County chief assistant prosecuting attorney in the juvenile division, shared information relative to services and procedures impacting the schools and families involved in the juvenile justice system.

Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn commented on the importance of having school resource officers and offered the assistance of the sheriff’s department.

Commenting on the opportunity to speak with school administrators and service providers, Woessner said, “Our schools and service providers are important resources for youth and families involved in the juvenile court system. Maintaining an open line of communication to discuss options available is essential. Our long-standing meetings with schools and service providers provides an excellent opportunity to exchange information on available programs and services for youth and families.”

Sixty individuals including superintendents, principals, assistant principals, school resource officers, and service providers from across Wood County attended the meeting held at the Wood County Fairgrounds in the Pratt Pavilion. School districts represented included Bowling Green, Eastwood, Elmwood, Lake, Lakota, McComb, Otsego, Penta Career Center, Perrysburg and Rossford.

In addition, representatives of the Family and Children First Council, the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Wood County Educational Service Center, the Wood County Health Department, the Wood County Department of Job and Family Services, the Wood County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Juvenile Residential Center of Northwest Ohio; and the Children’s Resource Center were also in attendance.

Also present were representatives of the Wood County Juvenile Court Probation Department; the Wood County Juvenile Detention Center; and the Wood County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program.