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County juvenile department updates commissioners on Oregon Youth Authority investigation
Summary
Juvenile department director Kenny informed commissioners that the Oregon Youth Authority director was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the agency's complaint backlog; the state appointed an acting director and counties are monitoring developments.
Kenny, director of the county juvenile department, updated the Morrow County commissioners on recent developments at the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA).
He told the board that in mid‑February the governor placed the OYA director on administrative leave pending an investigation into complaints and backlog handling; Jenna McClellan was named acting director. OYA has briefed county juvenile directors on steps to address investigative backlogs, implement policy changes, and ensure youth safety in state facilities.
Kenny said OYA staff offered to speak directly with county officials and that counties may contact McClellan or Sandra Santos for further information about community and residential programming. He declined to provide a county count of youth currently in OYA custody because of the ongoing investigation and privacy considerations.
The commission noted the issue is largely at the state level and asked county staff to serve as a local contact point for constituents with questions.
