Seeking to improve Ohio's ability to safely manage and treat juvenile sex offenders and youth with sexually abusive behavior, the Ohio Department of Youth Services in partnership with OACBHA applied for and received a grant award under the 2005 Comprehensive Approaches to Sex Offender Management Grant Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). As one of only nine jurisdictions awarded nationally, Ohio has a unique opportunity to contribute to ongoing efforts to create and implement effective solutions in the management of youth with sexually abusive behavior.

Ohio's grant design supports a two-phased effort. Phase I focuses on a thorough review of Ohio's juvenile sex offenders and youth with sexually abusive behavior management policies and practices based upon developing empirical knowledge and emerging national practices. This activity is being undertaken by an established Advisory Committee and provides a forum to examine actual practice within Ohio, and to identify the critical gaps in the systems.