DYS denies plea to keep rehab center open
By Melanie Yingst - myingst@aimmediamidwest.com
TROY — This week, Miami County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Scott Altenburger appealed once again to the Department of Youth Services (DYS) to reconsider the department’s decision to shut the doors of the West Central Juvenile Rehabilitation Center.
The 32-bed facility, which opened in 1992, had an operating budget of $1.8 million and was fully funded by DYS. The center provided rehabilitative services to youth in the Miami, Shelby, Preble, Auglaize, Darke, and Mercer counties areas. In December 2020, the center was notified by DYS that its annual funding would be ending in June 2021. The rehab center was also instructed to immediately stop accepting new youth into the program. The center, under the direction of executive director Gary Link, filed an appeal, which was denied on Feb.1. The center employs 35 staff members.