Top Things for Families to Know
1. Your youth can have visitors
All male youth first go to MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn, where they stay at “intake" for about 30 to 45 days while we assess their physical and mental health needs. Then we assign them to another unit at MacLaren or at another facility, depending on their needs.
All female youth go to Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility in Albany, where we also assess their needs. They will stay at Oak Creek because it's our only female close-custody facility.
Youth may have visitors, but all visitors must be approved first by facility staff. This is a tough time for your youth and they need positive visits from people they know. Visiting information is included in this packet.
2. Your youth has a case coordinator or camp counselor
Your main contact person in the facility will be your youth's case coordinator (or camp counsel-or, if your youth is at a transition camp.)
This person will contact you soon to invite you to a meeting to create a plan for your youth's success. This is called a “multidisciplinary team" (MDT) meeting. There will be many of these meetings while your youth is with us. You can learn about how your youth is doing and talk with staff about how to help your youth set goals and meet them.
3. Your youth has a juvenile parole and probation officer (JPPO)
This person can answer your questions and work with you and other family members to help plan your youth's time in OYA custody. Your youth will have the same JPPO during their time in OYA custody, no matter where they are living.
Don't know who your youth's JPPO is? Contact the OYA field office in the county where your youth was adjudicated or convicted. Their info is on the Contact Us page on our website.
4. Your youth has access to education and vocational training opportunities
Each facility offers support to youth in completing high school or GED and exploring career and college opportunities. Your youth can ask to learn more about college and career opportunities by using a youth request form. You can find a list of what is offered on our website under the Education section for each facility.
![]()
![]()
Benefits for Youth
OYA has a team of people who find benefits to help pay for services for youth, including health insurance and Social Security.
If you already have private health insurance for your youth, please let us know. It may help your youth get more access to care.
Phone: 503-373-7595
Email: OYAYBAT@oya.oregon.gov
Youth and Family Support
Family Engagement
Positive family connections help youth do better in their education and treatment. OYA supports family involvement, and we encourage you to stay positively connected with your youth.
Ardell Bailey, Family Services
Phone: 503-551-9243
Email: Ardell.Bailey@oya.oregon.gov
Cultural Services
The Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations (OIIR) provides youth and families with services that meet their cultural needs, including cultural education groups and events, interpreter services, and support groups.
Phone: 971-304-5751
Filing Complaints or Reporting Abuse
If you or your youth feel that your rights have been violated or that you were not treated fairly by OYA staff, we encourage you to talk with your youth's living unit manager. You can also reach out to their facility's superintendent, or other OYA staff you trust.
You also may file a complaint with OYA's Professional Standards Office (PSO). They investigate all reports of abuse and work with facilities to address complaints.
OYA has zero tolerance for abuse, whether it is verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual. It does not matter who the abuser is — other youth, staff, family members, foster parents, volunteers, or anyone else.
Here are several ways to report abuse or file a complaint:
- Call the OYA hotline: 1-800-315-5440
- Tell your youth's facility superintendent or any OYA staff member about abuse. All staff are required to report abuse.
- Fill out a grievance form. You can find the forms in OYA's field offices.
- File a report online: oregon.gov/oya/pso
Email PSO: professionalstandardsoffice@oya.oregon.gov