GOVERNOR

GOVERNOR'S COORDINATING OFFICES

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF CRIME PREVENTION & POLICY

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS


[photo, 100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland] In 1995, the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention was created by the Governor to address concerns about public safety and the prevention of crime and substance abuse (Executive Order 01.01.1995.03; Executive Order 01.01.1995.18; Executive Order 01.01.1996.05; Executive Order 01.01.2005.36). The Office formed by merging functions of the Office of Justice Administration and the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission. From January 1997 to 2003, the Office functioned under the Lieutenant Governor.


100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


On January 17, 2020, the Governor reformed the Office of Crime Control and Prevention to include functions of the Governor's Office for Children, and renamed it the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services (Executive Order 01.01.2020.01). In March 2020, those changes were authorized by statute by the General Assembly (Chapter 11, Acts of 2020). On January 17, 2024, the Governor rescinded Executive Order 01.01.2020.01, and reorganized the office as the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (Executive Order 01.01.2024.05).

The Office works to improve public safety and the administration of justice and to reduce and prevent crime, violence, delinquency, and substance abuse. To these ends, it helps draft legislation, policies, plans, programs, and budgets.

All federal funding that comes to Maryland for criminal justice, juvenile justice, and victims' services is administered by the Office.

For nonprofit community groups and local and State government agencies, the Office provides access to State and federal grant programs that improve public safety. They include the Body Armor for Local Law Enforcement, the Maryland Victims of Crime Fund; the Edward J. Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program; the Children's Justice Act Committee; the Paul Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act; the Domestic Violence Unit Pilot Program (DVUP); the Gun Violence Reduction Grant Program; the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Program; the Law Enforcement Training Scholarship Program; the Project Safe Neighborhood Anti-Gang Initiative; Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners; the School Safety Enforcement Fund; Sex Offender and Compliance Enforcement in Maryland (SOCEM); the State Aid for Police Protection Fund; the Stop Violence Against Women Program; the Title V Delinquency Prevention Program; and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Grant Program.

The Office administers grants for the Maryland Police Corps, a federal college scholarship program enacted in 1996. Maryland was one of the first states chosen by the U.S. Department of Justice to recruit and train college graduates to serve four years as community police officers. Maryland Police Corps officers presently serve in the police departments of Baltimore City, Hagerstown, and Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties.

Criminal Justice Program. Under the Office, the Criminal Justice Program (formerly the Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Program) stems from the Law Enforcement Program of the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Commission. That program became part of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in 1995. Renamed the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Program in 1997, it adopted its current name in 2001.

The Criminal Justice Program administers funding and provides technical support to programs for law enforcement and the prosecution and adjudication of offenders. To improve the criminal justice system, the Program assists projects, such as community policing and alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders. Support may include the use of electronic and other technology. In addition, the Program seeks effective means of coping with drug addiction and mental illness in the criminal justice system.

First located at Hampton Plaza, 300 East Joppa Road in Towson, Maryland, the Office moved to 100 Community Place in Crownsville, Maryland, in June 2016.

Appointed by the Governor, the Executive Director chairs the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Council. The Executive Director also serves on the Behavioral Health Advisory Council; Maryland Behavioral Health and Public Safety Center of Excellence Advisory Group; Cease Fire Council; the Task Force to Study Crime Classification and Penalties; the Task Force to Study Maryland's Criminal Gang Statutes; the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board; the Interagency Disabilities Board; the State Early Childhood Advisory Council; the Governor's Family Violence Council; the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board; the Juvenile Justice Reform Council; the Council on Open Data; the Council for the Procurement of Health, Educational and Social Services; the Sexual Offender Advisory Board; and the State Board of Victim Services.

Formerly, the Office was organized under three units: Legislation; Policy and Planning; and Special Projects. In October 2016, the Office reformed under three divisions: Administration; Programs and Implementation; and Research, Analysis and Evaluation. The Office is assisted by the Cease Fire Council, the Governor's Family Violence Council, the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board, and the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Council.


MARYLAND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Within the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, the Maryland Behavioral Health and Public Safety Center of Excellence was authorized by the General Assembly in July 2021 (Chapter 68, Acts of 2021).

The Center serves as the statewide information repository for behavioral health treatment and diversion programs related to the criminal justice system.

A strategic plan to enhance community health and public safety, promote treatment, and reduce the detention within the criminal justice system of persons with behavioral health disorders is to be developed by the Center. Moreover, to prevent and minimize the involvement of those with behavioral health disorders in the criminal justice system, the Center provides technical assistance to local governments for creating effective behavioral health and community health systems of care. The Center also facilitates the development of local and regional sequential intercept models, and local or regional planning workshops using such models.

With the Maryland Department of Health and the Behavioral Health Administration, the Center coordinates the implementation and tracking of State behavioral health and community health systems of care for individuals in the criminal justice system (Code Health-General Article, secs. 13-4201 through 13-4206).

VICTIM SERVICES UNIT
In July 2018, the Victim Services Unit was established within the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (now Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, & Victim Services) (Chapter 422, Acts of 2018).

The Victim Services Unit coordinates State responsibilities for victims, including collecting restitution and reimbursing victims for the cost of sexual assault forensic evidence examinations. The Unit is to collect data; develop best practices for restitution collection; and coordinate and improve the efforts of State and local agencies concerning restitution for victims. It also seeks to improve the collection of restitution, and to ensure that justice system databases are interoperable and have a data field for outstanding restitution orders. The Unit also oversees the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.


CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Chief Financial Officer oversees Administration, Budgets, Fiscal Grants, the Grants Database, and the Maryland Domestic-Violence Health-Care Screening and Response Initiative.

MARYLAND DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE HEALTH-CARE SCREENING & RESPONSE INITIATIVE
The Maryland Domestic-Violence Health-Care Screening and Response Initiative began in September 2010 (Executive Order 01.01.2010.20).

Administered by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, the Initiative encourages and promotes the establishment of local domestic-violence health-care screening and response programs. To such local programs, the Office provides technical assistance and prioritizes them to receive State and federal grants.


DIVISION OF CHILDREN & YOUTH


[photo, 100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland] In 1978, the Division of Children and Youth began when the General Assembly authorized the Office for Children and Youth (Chapter 426, Acts of 1978). That office reorganized as the Office for Children, Youth, and Families in 1990 (Chapter 419, Acts of 1990). From January 1997 to July 2003, the Office functioned under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, and was restructured as the Governor's Office for Children in June 2005 (Executive Order 01.01.2005.34). As the Division of Children and Youth, it was made part of the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services in March 2020 (Chapter 11, Acts of 2020).

100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


State and local government agencies and organizations are helped by the Division of Children and Youth to assist young people effectively and economically. To provide care through early intervention, prevention, and community services, priority is given to children and families most vulnerable to abuse, neglect, substance abuse, failure at school, family disintegration, and other problems. In meeting such needs, advice on local resources and priorities comes to the Division from child advocacy groups and parents. The Division also informs families and the general public about programs and services for youth.

The Division strives to ensure a stable, safe and healthful environment for children and families in Maryland. For programs and services affecting children and their families, the Division identifies inefficiencies, duplications, and gaps in services and resources. The Division then analyzes departmental plans and budget requests; reviews federal, State, local and private funds used by and available to the State; and identifies items in the Governor's budget that affect programs and services for children and their families. In addition, the Division issues impact statements and makes planning and expenditure recommendations to the Governor and department heads. The Division also advises the General Assembly on the needs of youth and their families (Code Human Services Article, secs. 8-101 through 8-1004).

Goals for Child Well-being. Eight goals for child well-being have been set for the Division by the Children's Cabinet. They are defined as:

In April 2015, the Governor assigned four initiatives to the Division. The Governor's charge was to reduce the impact of parental incarceration on children, families, and communities; improve outcomes for disconnected youth; reduce childhood hunger; and reduce youth homelessness.

Formerly located at 301 West Preston Street in Baltimore, the Governor's Office for Children relocated to 100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland, in May 2016.

The Division oversees two primary components: Finance and Operations, and Policy.


DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Since March 2020, the Deputy Director has headed the Division of Children and Youth within the Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services (Chapter 11, Acts of 2020).

Appointed by the Governor, the Deputy Director chairs the Children's Cabinet and the Advisory Council to the Children's Cabinet, and serves on the Behavioral Health Advisory Council; the State Child Fatality Review Team; the State Early Childhood Advisory Council; the Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council; the Interagency Disabilities Board; the Governor's Family Violence Council; and the Maryland Commission on Suicide Prevention.


FINANCE & OPERATIONS

Under its present name, Finance and Operations was initiated in January 2000 under the Office of Lt. Governor. It reorganized in 2003 as Operations, then part of the Office for Children, Youth, and Families, and became responsible for Budget Administration, Human Resources, Procurement, and Subcabinet Fund Administration. When Operations disbanded in June 2005, the Fiscal Office was created within the Governor's Office for Children to assume its financial responsibilities. In June 2006, the Office reverted to its original name, and in March 2020 under the Division of Children and Youth transferred to the Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services.

Finance and Operations is responsible for Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund Administration, and Fiscal and Human Resources.

CHILDREN'S CABINET INTERAGENCY FUND ADMINISTRATION
Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund Administration oversees administration of the Children's Cabinet Fund. The Fund supports the work of local management boards in Maryland counties (Code Human Services Article, secs. 8-501 through 8-507).


POLICY

Policy formed in January 2000 as Policy and Planning, a part of the Office for Children, Youth, and Families under the Office of Lt. Governor. It became Policies, Initiatives, and Councils in 2003 under the Office of Children, Youth, and Families, and reorganized as Interagency Policy Development in October 2004 within the Governor's Office for Children. In June 2006, it reformed as Programs and Policy to oversee Local Management Boards Monitoring; Local Management Boards Technical Assistance; Prevention Strategies; and Research and Evaluation. In August 2007, Community Resource Development was added. In July 2009, the office was renamed Interagency Initiatives, and in June 2015 adopted its present name.

Policy is responsible for five main units: Disconnected Youth; Incarceration; Local Management Boards; Second-Generation Strategies, Youth Homelessness, and Racial Equity; and Youth Engagement and Homelessness. The office is aided by the State Coordinating Council for Children.

INCARCERATION

LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARDS
Since 1990, each county in Maryland has been required to establish a local management board to plan, implement, and monitor child and family services. Each board determines what services are needed within the parameters of the eight Goals for Child Well-Being of the Children's Cabinet.

Originally, each board entered into a community partnership agreement with the Governor's Office for Children (now Division of Children and Youth). Today, the Division assists with training and technical assistance to develop resources, implement programs, and become fiscally accountable.

Reflecting the interagency nature of services for children and families, each board's membership must include representatives from the local health department, core service (mental health) agency, and department of social services; the local office of the Department of Juvenile Services; and the county public school system. Other members representing public and private community organizations also may serve on a board (Code Human Services Article, secs. 8-301 through 8-305).

SECOND-GENERATION STRATEGIES, YOUTH HOMELESSNESS, & RACIAL EQUITY
Second-Generation Strategies, Youth Homelessness, and Racial Equity originated as Positive Youth Outcomes. It reformed as Prevention Strategies in March 2008, and adopted its present name by February 2018.

Second-Generation Strategies, Youth Homelessness, and Racial Equity helps plan and implement local programs that prevent youths from dropping out of school, committing crimes, and engaging in other activities which bring them into the juvenile justice system. Such prevention and diversion programs should serve youth in their communities with alternatives to incarceration and institutionalization, help youth gain self sufficiency, accept personal responsibility for their actions, and be ready for adulthood at age 21.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT & HOMELESSNESS


PROGRAMS & IMPLEMENTATION DIVISION

In August 2007, the Programs and Implementation Division began as Operations which organized to improve public safety in Maryland. Under Operations, a regional organization of programs was implemented in August 2007. Federal and State grant programs were accessed through two regional offices: Eastern, and Western. Oversight and funding for sexual assault crisis programs and domestic violence programs also were placed under Operations in July 2011, when these responsibilities transferred to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (now Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, & Victim Services) from the Department of Human Resources (Chapter 356, Acts of 2011). The Programs and Implementation Division replaced Operations in October 2016.

The Programs and Implementation Division helps local governments and agencies access federal and State grants to fund crime fighting strategies. Its work is carried out by Planning and Implementation, and Programs.


PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION

Under the Programs and Implementation Division, Planning and Implementation oversees eight units. They include Anti-Human Trafficking Policy; Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Program; Juvenile Justice and Victim Services; Law Enforcement Programs; Public Safety Strategies; School Bus Safety Enforcement; Victims of Crime Assistance Initiatives; and the Violence Against Women Act Program.

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING POLICY
Anti-Human Trafficking Policy began as Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Policy and adopted its present name in August 2018.

ENFORCING UNDERAGE DRINKING LAWS (EUDL) PROGRAM

JUVENILE JUSTICE & VICTIM SERVICES
Juvenile Justice and Victim Services began when the Equal Justice and Policy Division merged with the Youth Services Division on January 31, 2007. Earlier, the Equal Justice and Policy Division had formed in 2005. The Youth Services Division originated as the Youth, Justice, and Community Service Division, and became the Youth Services Division in 2003. Many functions of the two divisions dispersed to regional offices in restructuring of August 2007. Those juvenile justice functions not dispersed to regional offices were assigned to the Juvenile Justice Policy Unit in August 2007. The Unit was restructured as Juvenile Justice and Victim Services in October 2016.

This unit staffs the Juvenile Grant Planning and Review Council, and the Children's Justice Act Committee.

LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS
Originally administered by the Department of State Police, the State Aid for Police Protection Fund transferred to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (now Governor's Office of Crime Prevention & Policy) in July 2008 (Chapter 515, Acts of 2008; Code Public Safety Article, secs. 4-501 through 4-509).

The State Aid for Police Protection Fund is a formula-driven funding program used to supplement resources for police protection in local communities. State funds provide additional revenue to support the operational costs of municipal and county police agencies.

VICTIMS OF CRIME ASSISTANCE INITIATIVES
The Victim Services Program began in 1988, later became the Victim Services and Domestic Violence Program, and adopted its present name in 1999. In December 2011, the Program moved under the Western Regional Office, which was disbanded in October 2016.

The Program administers funding and provides technical support for efforts to help victims of crime and those who suffer domestic and family violence.

Heading the Program, the Victim Services Coordinator is chosen by the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT PROGRAM
The Violence Against Women Act Program was authorized under the federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322). By that federal law, states administer funds to combat crimes of violence against women and improve legal protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Under the Program, law enforcement officers, court commissioners, "911" operators, judges, and state's attorneys are trained to respond effectively to violent crimes against women. Coordinated community responses to domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault are supported. In addition, the Program provides a uniform data collection system to track offenses and standardizes the processing of legal cases involving domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault.

Since 2000, the Program has administered the Domestic Violence Unit Pilot Program Fund. This fund is used by local law enforcement agencies to ensure the timely and accurate entry of civil protective and ex parte orders into databases.

Formerly under the Metro Regional Office, the Program in February 2011 transferred to the Western Regional Office, and then in November 2011 to the Eastern Regional Office, which disbanded in October 2016.


PROGRAMS

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT PILOT PROGRAM
In May 2000, the Domestic Violence Unit Pilot Program Fund was established (Chapter 572, Acts of 2000).

The Fund provides grants to local sheriffs' offices and police departments to create domestic violence units. Such units focus on the service of ex parte and protective orders, and keeping databases updated.

Formerly under the Metro Regional Office, the Program transferred to the Eastern Regional Office in February 2011, and then to the Western Regional Office in December 2011.

VICTIM RIGHTS COMPLIANCE


RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & EVALUATION DIVISION

The Research, Analysis, and Evaluation Division started as the Public Affairs, Policy and Research Division and reformed as Research and Evaluation in 2003. As the Planning, Research, and Legislative Support Division, it reorganized in 2007. The Division merged in 2011 with Policy and became Policy, Research, and Training. In June 2015, a separate unit for policy and planning formed, and Research moved under Operations. Within Programs and Implementation, Research reorganized as the Research, Analysis, and Evaluation Division under Programs in October 2016.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

Under Research and Analysis is the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center.

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