Our Founder

Dr. Valerie Milton founded Oakland Youth Educational Services because she saw a need to support youth who are at a disadvantage and at-risk to become productive citizens of society.  Some youth need more support, and Dr. Milton’s vision for OCYES is to provide additional support for youth.  She has 20 years of combined experience in education working in the classroom and at the Michigan Department of Education.  She taught students in urban school districts – Highland Park Public Schools, Southfield Public Schools, and Detroit Public Schools Community District.  She mentored and educated students in middle school science and all academic subjects to students in special education at all grade levels.

Dr. Milton currently works for the Michigan Department of Education and serves as a Research Consultant and Special Populations Coordinator, supporting youth who are in career and technical education programs.  Her primary focus is supporting students who are at-risk and disadvantaged – students in special populations categories (students with disabilities, students who are homeless, migrant students, students in foster care, economically disadvantaged students and other students who are at a disadvantage).  She conducts research, data analysis, attends national and local conferences to gain knowledge, learn strategies and techniques that work to continue supporting youth.

Dr. Milton has a Ph.D. in Education, Evaluation and Research – Applied Statistics and her dissertation focused on conducting large-scale surveys to obtain assessment data to examine statistical characteristics of special education assessment data and compared to assessment data from regular social science assessments. The findings of her dissertation showed why the progress of students in special education should be measured differently than their general education peers.  She also has a Professional Teaching Certification from the Michigan Department of Education in Elementary Education, Science, Learning Disabilities, and Cognitive Impairments.

It is with great passion, dedication, and hard work that Dr. Milton has founded Oakland County Youth Educational Services and it is her hope that she will change the lives of many youths.