ADVISORY COUNCIL ON MARYLAND'S SYSTEM OF CARE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILIES

Appointed by Governor: sixteen vacancies

Ex officio: Carol A. Beatty, Secretary of Disabilities; Meena Seshamani, M.D., Ph.D., Secretary of Health; Stacy L. Rodgers, Acting Secretary of Human Services; Betsy Fox Tolentino, Esq., Secretary of Juvenile Services; Carey M. Wright, Ed.D., State Superintendent of Schools; Douglas B. Jacobs, M.D., Executive Director, Maryland Health Care Commission; Marie L. Grant, J.D., Maryland Insurance Commissioner; Natasha M. Dartigue, Public Defender; vacancy, State Foster Youth Ombudsman; Craig Behm, Chief Executive Officer, Chesapeake Regional Information System for Our Patients.

c/o Governor's Office for Children
45 Calvert St., Annapolis, MD 21401 - 1907
(410) 693-6385
e-mail: jessica.foster@maryland.gov

45 Calvert St., Annapolis, Maryland, July 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

In June 2026, the Advisory Council on Maryland's System of Care for Children, Youth, and Families was authorized by the General Assembly (Chapter 160, Acts of 2026).

The Advisory Council will review existing laws and regulations to ensure that they facilitate provision of medical and behavioral health care in Maryland, including care for youth in out-of-home placements in the State; and recommend to the Interagency Council on Children, Youth, and Families any additions or changes to them. Moreover, the Advisory Council is to identify available grants or money from the federal government, private foundations, or other sources for programs related to children in out-of-home placements; help organizations apply for grants; and recommend improvements for education, outreach, and support to foster care parents to prevent disruption in placements. Further, the New Jersey Children's System of Care model will be examined by the Advisory Council, which is to recommend (in consultation with an institution of higher education or a private research entity with expertise in the model) how that model can be replicated in Maryland.

In its review of existing laws and regulations, the Advisory Council will recommend how to bridge gaps and ensure that all pediatric hospital overstay patients have access to legal representation, and education services. Recommendations of the Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Hospital Overstays also will be considered while the Advisory Council reviews and makes recomendations concerning barriers to capacity expansion, including rate reform and insurance parity,

Twenty-seven members constitute the Advisory Council. Of these, sixteen are appointed by the Governor, and eleven serve ex officio. The Senior Advisor for Children and Families is the Chair (Code Human Services Article, sec. 8-1408).

Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov

This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user. Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website! [ Archives' Home Page  ||  Maryland Manual On-Line  ||  Reference & Research ||  Search the Archives   ||  Education & Outreach  ||  Archives of Maryland Online ] Governor     General Assembly    Judiciary     Maryland.Gov

© Copyright October 16, 2026 Maryland State Archives