The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety convened on March 26, 2025, to discuss critical updates and future directions for the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA). The meeting focused on the agency's training programs, funding needs, and operational commitments.

The session began with a presentation highlighting the OYA's commitment to enhancing employee training. The agency has adapted its training curriculum based on feedback from various stakeholders, including training partners and staff across different facilities. The emphasis is on creating relevant, meaningful, and memorable training experiences for new employees. The training academy currently provides six weeks of comprehensive training, blending classroom instruction with on-the-job experiences. This approach aims to improve engagement and retention among new hires.

The director of the training academy, Jose Guadardo, was acknowledged for his contributions to the training program, which also includes in-service training for existing staff. The agency is focused on collecting both quantitative and narrative data to continuously improve training experiences.

As the meeting progressed, the discussion shifted to the agency's funding requests. The OYA is seeking to maintain its current service levels and secure additional funding for its professional standards office. Key priorities include the completion of the McLaren infirmary and ongoing efforts related to the JAGES modernization project. The agency's leadership emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in meeting operational expectations.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the agency's leadership to uphold its operating principles and ensure that staff and youth feel supported in their environments. The director expressed gratitude for the partnership with the committee and reiterated the need for adequate funding to sustain the agency's initiatives.

Overall, the meeting underscored the OYA's dedication to improving training and operational effectiveness while addressing funding challenges to support its mission.