A new study conducted by University of Cincinnati researchers shows that the Hocking Valley Community Residential Center is the highest-rated program of its kind in the state and recommends the center as a model for future program development.

The Hocking Valley facility, located in Nelsonville, scored first overall out of nine facilities evaluated as part of Ohio's Community Correctional Facility system, a locally administered alternative system to the state's standard juvenile justice programs. Using the Correctional Program Assessment Inventory (CPAI), Hocking Valley posted a score of 76.9, well above the average score of 54.4 and classified as "very satisfactory."

Hocking Valley serves youth from Athens, Fairfield, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pike, Scioto, Vinton and Washington counties.