DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES

FUNCTIONS

[photo, Entrance, 217 East Redwood St., Baltimore, Maryland] The Department of Juvenile Services provides care and treatment, consistent with the public safety, to boys and girls under the age of eighteen who violate the criminal law, or are likely to violate the law, or whose behavior is such that they may endanger themselves or others. Whenever feasible, the Department serves troubled youth in their homes or in residences within the community (Code Human Services Article, secs. 9-101 through 9-410).

Probation, that is, the supervision of youngsters who are adjudicated delinquent but not institutionalized, is the responsibility of the Department of Juvenile Services, as is aftercare, the supervision and counseling of minors for a prescribed period of time upon their release from an institution. The Department also administers community-based residential programs, and nonresidential and residential services provided by private vendors.

Since 1969, through field offices located in each county and Baltimore City, intake officers from the Department of Juvenile Services also receive and process complaints filed against juveniles. Most complaints come from the police after a juvenile has been arrested, but parents, teachers, social workers, or any citizen may file a complaint.

Entrance, 217 East Redwood St., Baltimore, Maryland, August 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

In Fiscal Year 2022, the Department received approximately 10,782 juvenile complaints. These usually are received from the police, citizens, schools, or the courts. From such complaints, some juveniles are committed to the care of the Department, either in contractual facilities, evening reporting centers, or community detention centers, or through evidence-based services. While awaiting disposition of their cases, youths are detained in seven of the Department's secure detention facilities.

Upon receipt of a complaint, the intake officer makes a preliminary inquiry as to whether court proceedings are in the child's best interest, and then may resolve the complaint out of court through informal supervision or diversion to community-based services, file a petition for court action, or dismiss the complaint. Many complaints are resolved without court action. When a petition for court action is filed, the intake officer recommends whether detention is necessary prior to adjudication, and a detention hearing is held in juvenile court. Pending adjudication, youths may be placed in community detention - with or without electronic monitoring; day and evening reporting centers; and private alternative programs. Next, an adjudicatory hearing determines whether the child is delinquent or in need of supervision. Then, a disposition hearing decides on adequate treatment for the child, either at home, under community supervision, in an out-of-home residence, or for those categorized as dangerous to themselves and others, through commitment to a secure institution.

The Department provides care to youth adjudicated delinquent or children in need of supervision (CINS) and develops programs for "predelinquent" children, whose behavior is likely to lead to contact with law enforcement agencies (Chapter 480, Acts of 1971). For children in need of assistance (CINA), local departments of social services are responsible for their care (Chapter 343, Acts of 1991). Youth committed to the care of the Department may be placed in traditional and treatment foster homes; group homes; independent living programs; residential treatment centers; and intermediate care centers for addicted youth, which include the Department's Youth Centers.

Since the 1980s, the State has altered the way it cares for troubled youth. Maryland no longer relies solely on custodial care in institutions to treat juveniles who have violated the law. The reform initiatives of the Department are characterized by the 1988 closing of the Montrose School, the 1991 privatization of the Charles H. Hickey, Jr., School, and expansion of community-based alternatives to institutionalization. Nonetheless, juveniles who pose a risk to public safety still may be confined in detention centers. For juveniles awaiting trial or court disposition, the Department's detention centers also provide short-term residential care.

Since 2007, the Department is required to provide services to the youth in its care on a regional basis, and may only place a child outside of the child's home region if the child requires specialized services not available in the home region. Also, any facility in which the Department detains or commits a child must not have more than forty-eight children committed or detained at the same time. Further, Department services to youth must ensure the safety both of the community and the child served; hold delinquent children accountable to victims and communities; and assist the children in its care to develop skills to become successful members of society (Chapter 498, Acts of 2007; Code Human Services Article, sec. 9-238.1).

Public and private residential programs serving troubled youth are licensed by the Department.

In December 2019, the Department moved from One Center Plaza, 120 West Fayette St., Baltimore, to its present site at 217 East Redwood St., Baltimore.

OFFICE OF SECRETARY

217 East Redwood St., Baltimore, MD 21201

Appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent, the Secretary of Juvenile Services heads the Department of Juvenile Services (Code Human Services Article, sec. 9-202).

The Secretary of Juvenile Services serves on the Governor's Executive Council; the Children's Cabinet; the Advisory Council to the Children's Cabinet; the School Safety Subcabinet Advisory Board; and the MD THINK Committee.

[photo, 217 East Redwood St., Baltimore, Maryland] As a member, the Secretary serves on the Behavioral Health Advisory Council the Commission on Behavioral Health Care Treatment and Access; the Cease Fire Council; the State Child Fatality Review Team; the State Coordinating Council for Children; the Correctional Training Commission; the Interagency Disabilities Board; the Governor's Family Violence Council; the Interagency Council on Homelessness; the Maryland Council on Innovation and Impact; the Judges, Masters and Juvenile Justice Committee; the Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform and Emerging and Best Practices; the Juvenile Services Education Board; the Coordinating Council for Juvenile Services Educational Programs; the State Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision; the Law Enforcement Coordinating Council; the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center Governing Board; the Procurement Improvement Council; the Sexual Offender Advisory Board; the Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs; the Maryland Commission on Suicide Prevention; the Commission on Trauma-Informed Care; the Two-Generation Family Economic Security Commission; the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council; the State Board of Victim Services; the Governor's Workforce Development Board; and the Youth Apprenticeship Advisory Committee.

217 East Redwood St., Baltimore, Maryland, August 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Under the Secretary of Juvenile Services, the Department is organized by four main functions: Community Services, the Juvenile Services Education Program, Residential Services, and Support Services. The Office of the Secretary also is assisted by the State Advisory Board for Juvenile Services; the Judges, Masters, and Juvenile Justice Committee; and the State's Attorneys Liaison Committee.

CHIEF OF STAFF

The Chief of Staff oversees six offices: Communications, Equity and Inclusion, Fair Practices, Inspector General, and Reserch and Evaluation.

OFFICE OF EQUITY & INCLUSION
The Office of Equity and Inclusion originated in January 2018 as the Office of Equity and Reform under the Office of Preadjudication Services and Reform. In September 2020, it moved to Community Operations as the Office of Equty and Inclusion, and transferred to the Chief of Staff by May 2023.

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
The Office of Inspector General began in July 2000 as the Office of Professional Responsibility and Accountability. It was created to ensure internal accountability and professionalism throughout the Department and its institutions. In March 2004, the Office moved under the Chief of Staff, and in December 2004, under Administration. The Office reorganized in June 2007 as the Office of Investigations and Audits. In January 2008, its audit function was separated out, and the Office reformed as the Office of Investigations and Advocacy. In July 2008, it reorganized again under its present name, and in July 2011 was placed under the Office of Secretary. By May 2023, it was reassigned to the Chief of Staff.

Under the Office are six main units: Child Advocacy; Internal Audit; Investigations; Licensing and Monitoring; Prison Rape Elimination Act; and Quality Assurance.

OFFICE OF RESEARCH & EVALUATION

In February 2009, the Office of Research and Evaluation originated as the Office of Strategic Analysis. It was renamed in January 2010 as the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Planning, and in May 2011 as the Office of Research and Evaluation.

The Office oversees Program Evaluation; and Reporting and Data Integrity.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Community Services was formed as Community Operations by the Department of Juvenile Services in September 2020. By January 2024, it had been renamed Community Services.

OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SUPERVISION

Now within Community Operations, the Office of Community Supervision originated as the Office of Community Operations under Operations. In September 2020, the Office was renamed as the Office of Community Supervision and placed under Community Operations.

The Office of Community Supervision consists of 33 local offices throughout Maryland that oversee case management operations for youth under court-ordered probation, and aftercare services. Also part of the Office are local resource units, which help facilitate in-home and out-of-home committed treatment services for youth.

Under the Office of Community Supervision is the Resource Office. The Office of Community Supervision also is assisted by the Interstate Compact on Juveniles.

OFFICE OF PREADJUDICATION SERVICES & REFORM

In January 2018, the Office of Preadjudication Services and Reform organized within the Department of Juvenile Services.

Under the Office is Community Detention.

COMMUNITY DETENTION
721 Woodbourne Ave., Baltimore, MD 21212

Community Detention started as Community Detention and Electronic Monitoring, which transferred in January 2018 from the Office of Community Operations to the Office of Preadjudication Services and Reform. It was renamed Community Detention by May 2023.

For youth awaiting court trial or review, Community Detention is an alternative to incarceration. Juveniles may remain at home in their community under intensive supervision by daily face-to-face or telephone contact and through surveillance by electronic monitoring. A centralized command center in Baltimore City monitors youth through global positioning systems. Regional staff have contact with monitored youth due to changes in their situation, supervision violations, and equipment malfunction.

RESOURCE OFFICE

The Resource Office began as Placement Services under Community Justice Programs, and was transferred to the Office of Professional Services in February 2009 as Placement. It assumed its present name in February 2010, when it transferred to Operations. In September 2020, it became part of Community Operations.

For the placement of juveniles in residential and nonresidential programs, the Office establishes policy and standards. At area offices of juvenile justice throughout Maryland, the Office's resource coordinators meet with case managers to assess a child's needs for education, socialization, and health services. They determine which Department program best meets these needs while protecting public safety. The Office monitors the case until the minor is accepted into a program, and placement and other services are funded.

JUVENILE SERVICES EDUCATION PROGRAM

Originally, the Department of Juvenile Services had been responsible for the education of all youth in its care. In June 2004, however, the Juvenile Services Education Program was established within the State Department of Education (Chapter 535, Acts of 2004). Thereafter, the transfer of educational programs from the Department of Juvenile Services to the State Department of Education began in 2004 with the Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School. By July 1, 2013, the State Department of Education had assumed responsibility for educational services at all residential facilities of the Department of Juvenile Services. Within the State Department of Education, the Juvenile Services Education Program was placed under the Division of Career and College Readiness. In October 2016, it transferred to School Effectiveness. On July 1, 2022, the Juvenile Services Education Program and the Juvenile Services Education Board were returned to the oversight of the Department of Juvenile Services (Chapter 147, Acts of 2021).

For youth who are detained or committed in a residential facility of the Department of Juvenile Services, the Juvenile Services Education Program teaches them core academic subjects, as well as career and technology education, life skills, computer literacy, special education services, and preparation for the High School General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

[photo, Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, 300 North Gay St., Baltimore, Maryland] Since July 2013, education is provided for students at the Alfred D. Noyes Center, the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, the Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School, the Cheltenham Youth Facility, the Victor Cullen Center, the Lower Eastern Shore Children's Center, the Thomas J. S. Waxter Children's Center, the Western Maryland Children's Center; and the Western Region Youth Centers.


Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, 300 North Gay St., Baltimore, Maryland, June 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Appointed by the State Superintendent of Schools in consultation with the Secretary of Juvenile Services, the Executive Director of the Program implements and administers the educational programs formerly developed by the Coordinating Council for Juvenile Services Education Programs, and assesses regularly whether the educational needs of each child under the Program are being met (Code Education Article, secs. 22-301 through 22-310).

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

[photo, 217 East Redwood St., Baltimore, Maryland] 217 East Redwood St., Baltimore, MD 21202

In 2000, Residential Services first organized as Restorative Justice Operations, reformed in January 2002 as Admissions and Community Justice, and reverted to its original name in January 2003. It was restructured as Programs in March 2004, as Operations in March 2005, and as Regional Operations in December 2008. Again as Operations it reformed in February 2009, and as Residential Services in April 2023.

Under Residential Services are five offices: Behavioral Health; Clinical Services; Detention Services; Medical Services; and Residential Services. Residential Services also oversees six regional offices. Each regional office is responsible for State-operated facilities and the delivery of community services within its geographic boundaries.


217 East Redwood St., Baltimore, Maryland, August 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

OFFICE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

In December 2004, the Office of Behavioral Health began under Programs as Behavioral Health Services. It transferred to the Deputy Secretary for Operations in March 2005, moved in December 2008 under Program Services, and became part of the Office of Professional Services in February 2009. It was renamed the Office of Behavioral Health and Victim Services in July 2011, when it again was placed under the Deputy Secretary for Operations. By April 2023, it assumed its present name under Residential Services.

The Office of Behavioral Health provides behavioral health assessment and treatment to youth in Departmental facilities, and ensures their smooth transition to community-based treatment.

Two units are overseen by the Office: Evidence-Based Services, and Substance Abuse Services.

EVIDENCE-BASED SERVICES

SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES
Substance Abuse Services was initiated by 1992 and reorganized as a separate unit under Health Services in March 2004. In December 2004, it was placed under Behavioral Health Services; in December 2008 under Program Support; and in February 2009, returned to Behavioral Health Services, which reformed as the Office of Behavioral Health and Victim Services in July 2011, and as Office of Behavioral Health by April 2023.

All juveniles in a detention or committed facility are screened by Substance Abuse Services. Treatment programs are provided for those youths diagnosed as in need of services. Substance Abuse Services also provides preventative education, and works with the eleven Juvenile Drug Courts that operate under the county circuit courts in Maryland.

OFFICE OF DETENTION PROGRAMS

In May 2015, the Office of Detention Programs formed as the Office of Detention Services under the Deputy Secretary for Operations, and by May 2023 was renamed Office of Detention Facilities and placed under Residential Services. By February 2024, it was renamed the Office of Detention Programs.

Detention facilities house youth awaiting disposition or post-disposition, and awaiting placement in a committed program.

The Office oversees education, programming, safety and security, and transportation services for the Department's six detention centers.

The Department's detention facilities include:

OFFICE OF MEDICAL SERVICES
Within the Residential Services Division, the Office of Medical Services began as Health Services and transferred to Health Care Services as Medical Services in 2000. The Office joined Program Support in December 2008, and as Somatic Health Services moved to Office of Professional Services in February 2009. It transferred to Operations in February 2010, and as the Office of Medical Services to Residential Services by April 2023.

The Office of Medical Services coordinates and oversees somatic health and nutrition for youth admitted to the Department's care and custody. Medical Services includes an assessment of immediate medical needs by a nurse, a physical examination and health history, immunizations, laboratory tests, dietary services, dental care, sick care, and emergency treatment.

Many youth entering Department facilities have behaved irresponsibly and face complex health problems, such as chronic untreated medical conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, illnesses related to drug or alcohol abuse, tuberculosis, teenage pregnancy, or a poor self-image. Medical Services teach youth to prevent disease and take responsibility for their health.

Medical Services provides clinical, managerial and administrative guidance to health service personnel in Department facilities and programs. The nurse manager at Medical Services advises nurses at juvenile facilities on treatment. The nurse manager also tracks youth from one juvenile facility to another, monitoring their health care. For physicians who trea youth in the Department's care, and for pharmacy and medical laboratory services provided to these youth, Medical Services writes and manages contracts. It also oversees intergovernmental agreements for health care to youth in Department facilities. In addition, Medical Services monitors expenditures for services and organizes continuing education seminars for clinicians.

SPECIAL REVIEWS
As Best Practices, Special Reviews began. It adopted its present name in February 2010, when it was placed under the Office of Somatic Health Services (now Office of Medical Services).

Special Reviews works to implement the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative statewide. Developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Initiative's core strategies seek to: eliminate unnecessary use of secure detention; minimize the rearresting and failure to appear in court of juveniles pending adjudication; improve conditions where youth are confined; and redirect funding from detention towards sustainable system reform.

Under the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, Special Reviews also works to reduce racial and ethnic disparity in juvenile justice system in accordance with terms of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002. By that law, each state is required to have a disproportionate minority contact coordinator. To reduce numbers of ethnic and racial minorities who interact with the juvenile justice system in numbers not proportionate to their numbers in the general population, coordinator receives federal grants to develop and implement strategies that ensure all children are treated fairly and equitably.

OFFICE OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

In May 2015, the Office of Residential Services started as the Office of Commitment Facilities formed under the Deputy Secretary for Operations. It was renamed the Office of Residential Services in September 2020.

The Office oversees programming, safety and security, education, and transportation services for the Department's seven commitment facilities. These facilities include:

REGIONAL OPERATIONS

Under Residential Services, the State is divided into six regions: Baltimore City, Capital, Central, Eastern Shore, Southern, and Western. In each region, a regional director is responsible for core services, such as intake, probation, aftercare, community detention, and treatment services.

BALTIMORE CITY REGION

The Baltimore City Region is responsible for the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center.

BALTIMORE CITY JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER
300 North Gay St., Baltimore, MD 21202

The Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center opened on October 30, 2003. Formerly under Residential Services, it transferred to Operations in March 2005, which became Residential Operations by May 2023, then reverted back to Residential Services by February 2024.

[photo, Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, 300 North Gay St., Baltimore, Maryland] Providing centralized intake, assessment, and court and detention services, the Center's three-story structure holds three circuit courtrooms; hearing rooms for juvenile masters; offices for state's attorneys, public defenders, the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, and Baltimore City Police Department; a booking facility; and 120 beds for delinquent youth requiring detention. For detained youths, the Center has a full-size gym, and educational and medical services (Code Human Services Article, sec. 9-229).

Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, 300 North Gay St., Baltimore, Maryland, June 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

CAPITAL SOUTH REGION

The Capital South Region was formed from the combination of the Metro Region and the Southern Region by February 2024. The Capital South Region includes Calvert, Charles Montgomery, Prince George's, and St. Mary's counties, where the Department of Juvenile Services is responsible for the Cheltenham Youth Facility, the Alfred D. Noyes Children's Center, and the Thomas J. S. Waxter Children's Center.

CENTRAL REGION

Included in the Central Region are Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties where the Department of Juvenile Services is responsible for the Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School, and seven offices. In Baltimore County, the Department has offices in Arbutus, Eastern Baltimore, Owings Mills, and Towson; in Carroll County at Westminster; in Harford County at Bel Air; and in Howard County at Ellicott City.

EASTERN SHORE REGION

[photo, Department of Juvenile Services, 12155 Elm St., Princess Anne (Somerset County), Maryland] The Eastern Shore Region serves the counties of Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester. There, the Department of Juvenile Services oversees the Lower Eastern Shore Children's Center. On the Eastern Shore, the Department also has nine offices: one each in Cambridge, Centreville, Chestertown, Denton, Easton, Elkton, Princess Anne, Salisbury, and Snow Hill.

Department of Juvenile Services, 12155 Elm St., Princess Anne (Somerset County), Maryland, May 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, Lower Eastern Shore Children's Center, Department of Juvenile Services, 405 Naylor Mill Road, Salisbury, Maryland] The Center holds youth who are committed by the court, or are awaiting adjudication. The facility provides secure detention for up to 18 boys and six girls, from the Lower Shore counties of Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester (Code Human Services Article, sec. 9-238.1). It offers educational services, a drug and alcohol program, anger management and conflict resolution groups, and a Young Fathers program.


Lower Eastern Shore Children's Center, 405 Naylor Mill Road, Salisbury, Maryland, June 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

WESTERN REGION

1 James Day Drive, Cumberland, MD 21502

The Western Region organized in July 2006 as Western Regional Operations, established as a pilot program in the Department's plan to convert to integrated regional delivery of services. The service area encompassed by the Western Region includes seven counties: Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington.

The Western Region oversees the western Maryland Area Offices, which provide community-based services, such as intake probation and aftercare. Western Regional Operations also is responsible for six facilities: Backbone Mountain Youth Center; Victor Cullen Center; Garrett Children's Center; Green Ridge Regional Youth Center; and Western Maryland Children's Center.

Victor Cullen Center, Sabillasville, Maryland, July 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

SUPPORT SERVICES

In March 2004, Support Services was created as Administration, reformed as Departmental Support in July 2005, and Support Services in 2008.

Headed by a Deputy Secretary, Support Services is responsible for nine offices: Budget and Fiscal Services; Capital Planning and Budgeting; General Service Unit Facility Maintenance and Janitorial Services; General Services; Human Resources; Information Technology; Procurement; Professional Training and Education; and Research and Evaluation.

OFFICE OF BUDGET & FISCAL SERVICES

In 1996, the Office of Budget and Fiscal Services began as Special Programs and reorganized as Specialized Operations. Functions of Specialized Operations were assigned to Budget and Finance in January 1997. In 2002, it was renamed Fiscal Planning and Management, and in March 2004, became Budget and Finance. It was renamed Budget and Fiscal Services by May 2023.

The Office oversees Accounting; Budget; Capital Planning; Grant and Resource Development; Grant Finance; and Youth Assistance.

OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The Office of Information Technology formed as Information Technology and became Information Technology and Telecommunications in 2000. As Information Technology, it was placed under Administration in March 2004, transferred to the Office of Business Services in February 2009, and moved under the Office of Resource Management in January 2010. By May 2023, the Office was placed under Support Services.

The client database (ISYS) of the Department of Juvenile Services is operated and maintained by Information Technology. This office provides technical assistance on all computer-related matters, and supports, procures, and maintains the Department's personal computers and associated applications. For the year 2000, Information Technology set up a statewide computer network to enhance communication capabilities and support a new work flow system.

Formerly, the Office of Information Technology was responsible for three units: Data Processing Functional Analysis; Data Processing Technical Support; and Telecommunications and Security Systems. Today, the Office oversees Applicaions, Network Operations, and Telecommunications and Security Systems.

OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & EDUCATION

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