Youth Group Home Liaison Program

Building Relationships. Improving Outcomes. Strengthening Public Safety.

The Harrison Township Youth Group Home Liaison Program is a collaborative partnership between Harrison Township, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, and local youth group home operators. Together, these partners work to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and create positive outcomes for youth living in residential care facilities.

Led by Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy Javan Richardson, the program focuses on building trust with youth, supporting group home staff, reducing crisis calls, and connecting young people with meaningful community engagement opportunities.

Since launching in 2025, the partnership has helped reduce calls for service at participating homes while creating opportunities for mentorship, recreation, and positive interactions with law enforcement. By working together, Harrison Township, the Sheriff's Office, and group home operators are creating a safer, more supportive environment for youth, staff, and the surrounding community.

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Why the Program Was Created

Harrison Township is home to several youth group homes that serve young people from throughout Ohio.

These facilities provide an important service by supporting youth who need structured care, supervision, and rehabilitation. However, many communities have struggled with the public safety challenges that can occur when multiple facilities are concentrated in one area.

Historically, law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies responded to a high number of calls involving behavioral crises, runaways, disturbances, and other emergencies.

Rather than relying solely on enforcement, Harrison Township partnered with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and local group home operators to develop a more proactive approach focused on communication, trust, and intervention before situations escalate.

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Meet Deputy Javan Richardson

Deputy Javan Richardson serves as Harrison Township's dedicated Youth Group Home Liaison.

His role includes:

  • Building relationships with youth residing in local group homes
  • Serving as a direct point of contact for facility staff
  • Coordinating communication between homes and public safety agencies
  • Identifying potential issues before they become crises
  • Organizing positive youth engagement opportunities
  • Connecting youth with community resources and mentorship opportunities

Deputy Richardson's work has earned recognition across Montgomery County, including the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Deputy of the Year Award and the Douglas L. Knight Humanitarian Award.

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Measurable Results

The Youth Group Home Liaison Program has produced measurable improvements at participating facilities.

  • Calls for service reduced by nearly 90% at some participating homes
  • Expanded participation across multiple facilities
  • Increased communication between operators and public safety agencies
  • More positive interactions between youth and law enforcement
  • Improved quality of life for surrounding neighborhoods

These outcomes demonstrate that proactive engagement and collaboration can produce better results than enforcement alone.

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Resources for Group Home Operators

The Youth Group Home Liaison Program is available to assist licensed youth residential facilities located in Harrison Township.

We can help with:

  • Establishing communication protocols
  • Coordinating public safety responses
  • Community relationship building
  • Youth engagement opportunities
  • Problem-solving recurring issues
  • Connecting with local resources
  • Crisis prevention strategies

If your facility would like to participate in the program, contact Deputy Richardson directly. His email is richardsonja@mcohiosheriff.org.

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