MDHS PREA: Enhancing Oakley Youth Development Center (OYDC) Campus Safety

This project, "MDHS PREA: Enhancing Oakley Youth Development Center (OYDC) Campus," proposes to (1) provide training, through a collaboration with  the Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault, to staff to ensure an understanding of the PREA standards and the expectations required of all staff and first responders; (2) promote the safety and security of the youth and staff at Oakley Youth Development Center by upgrading/enhancing the current camera/surveillance system and related equipment to ensure blind spots have been minimized and/or eliminated in as many places as possible, and (3) contract for PREA audits to identify areas in which the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services, Oakley Youth Development Center might have deficits which would prohibit compliance under PREA. Additionally, as part of this initiative, there will be opportunities which will ensure that youth receive proper education and orientation regarding PREA and will better prepare youth and staff for knowing when and how to report and properly respond to incidents.