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DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES

FUNCTIONS


[photo, One Plaza Center, 120 West Fayette St., Baltimore, Maryland] The Department of Juvenile Services provides individualized care and treatment, consistent with the public safety, to youth 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). The Department provides services to approximately 30,000 youths annually who are referred to the care of the Department, usually by the police or the courts.

Department of Juvenile Services, One Plaza Center, 120 West Fayette St., Baltimore, Maryland, April 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


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 in each county and Baltimore City, intake officers from the Department of Juvenile Services 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. 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. 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 is responsible for providing care to youth adjudicated delinquent or children in need of supervision (CINS) and developing programs for the "predelinquent" child, one 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).

In the past twenty-five years, 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 most recent reform initiative of the Department is best 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. The Department also licenses private and public residential programs serving troubled youth.

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).


OFFICE OF SECRETARY

One Center Plaza, 120 West Fayette 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 and the Children's Cabinet. The Secretary also is a member of the Cease Fire Council; the State Child Fatality Review Team; the State Coordinating Council for Children; the Correctional Training Commission; the Maryland State Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council; the Governor's Family Violence Council; the Judges, Masters and Juvenile Justice Committee; the Juvenile Grant Planning and Review Council; the Coordinating Council for Juvenile Services Educational Programs; the Mental Health Transformation Working Group; the Interdepartmental Advisory Committee for Minority Affairs; the Task Force to Study Prison Violence in Maryland; the Maryland School-Based Health Care Policy Advisory Council; the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism; the State's Attorneys Liaison Committee; the Truancy Court Work Group, the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council; and the State Board of Victim Services.

Within the Office of the Secretary are the principal counsel and the Chief of Staff, who oversees offices for child and family partnerships, communication, fair practice and equal employment opportunity, and legislative affairs.

Under the Secretary, the Department is organized by two main functions: Operations, and Support Services. The Office of the Secretary is assisted by the State Advisory Board for Juvenile Services; the Female Population Task Force; the Judges, Masters, and Juvenile Justice Committee; and the State's Attorneys Liaison Committee.


OPERATIONS

One Center Plaza, 120 West Fayette St., Baltimore, MD 21201

Operations organized as Restorative Justice Operations in 2000, reorganized in January 2002 as Admissions and Community Justice, and reverted to its original name in January 2003. It restructured as Programs in March 2004, as Operations in March 2005, as Regional Operations in December 2008, and again as Operations in February 2009.

Operations oversees six regions: Baltimore City; Central; Eastern Shore ; Metro; Southern; and Western. Each region is responsible for State-operated facilities and the delivery of community services within its geographic boundaries.

COMMUNITY DETENTION & ELECTRONIC MONITORING
721 Woodburne Ave., Baltimore, MD 21212

For youth awaiting court trial or review, Community Detention and Electronic Monitoring 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.


BALTIMORE CITY REGION

[photo, Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, 300 North Gay St., Baltimore, Maryland]

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


EASTERN SHORE REGION

The Eastern Shore Region serves the counties of Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester.


METRO REGION

The Metro Region includes Montgomery and Prince George's counties.


CENTRAL REGION

Included in the Central Region are Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties.

SOUTHERN REGION

The Southern Region encompasses Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties.


WESTERN REGION

326 Queen City 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 Western Region oversees the Area Offices located in western Maryland, 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; Green Ridge Regional Youth Center; Meadow Mountain Youth Center; Savage Mountain Youth Center; and Western Maryland Children's Center.

The service area encompassed by the Western Region includes seven counties: Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington.





SUPPORT SERVICES

In March 2004, Support Services was created as Administration. Headed by a Deputy Secretary, Support Services is responsible for five offices: Business Services; Professional Services; Quality Assurance and Accountability; Resource Management; and Strategic Analysis.


OFFICE OF BUSINESS SERVICES

The Office of Business Services started as the Budget and Management Division in 1987. Renamed the Administrative Services Division in 1990, it merged with the Program Services Division in 1992 to form the Administrative and Program Services Division. In 1996, program services were assigned to the Program Services Division and the office of Administration was created to manage administrative functions. In 2000, Departmental Support assumed functions of Administration. In March 2004, it moved under Administration. It was reorganized as Business Services in December 2008, and the Office of Business Services in February 2009.

Under the Office of Business Services are Capital Planning; General Services; Human Resources; Information Technology; and Procurement.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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.

The Department's client database (ISYS) 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.

Information Technology is responsible for three units: Data Processing Functional Analysis; Data Processing Technical Support; and Telecommunications and Security Systems.


OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

In February 2009, the Office of Professional Services formed under Support Services. Encompassing some of the functions from the former Program Support, the Office is responsible for: Behavioral Health Services; Education; Placement Services; Preventive Programs; and Somatic Health Services.

The Office of Professional Services integrates behavioral, somatic health, and education services for youth being served by the Department both in residential facilities and in the community.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
Under Programs, Behavioral Health Services began in December 2004. In March 2005, it was placed under the Deputy Secretary for Operations, moved in December 2008 under Program Services, and became part of the Office of Professional Services in February 2009.

Behavioral Health Services provides behavioral health assessment and treatment to youth in departmental facilities, and ensures their smooth transition to community-based treatment. Behavioral Health Services oversees Mental Health Services, and Substance Abuse 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, and in December 2008 under Program Support, and in February 2009, under Behavioral Health Services.

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 in Maryland.

EDUCATION
Formerly under Residential Services, Education Services transferred to Program Support in December 2008, and as Education, to the Office of Professional Services in February 2009.

Since 2004, responsibility for the education of juveniles residing in institutions under the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Services has been transitioning to the State Department of Education. By July 1, 2012, all educational services offered by the residential facilities of the Department of Juvenile Services will be administered by the Juvenile Services Education Program of the State Department of Education. As of July 2008, that program was responsible for education at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center; the J. DeWeese Carter Center; the Lower Eastern Shore Children's Center; Charles H. Hickey, Jr., School; and the Victor Cullen Center.

PLACEMENT
Placement began as Placement Services under Community Justice Programs, and was transferred to the Office of Professional Services in February 2009. This office establishes policy and standards for the placement of juveniles in residential and nonresidential programs. At area offices of juvenile justice throughout Maryland, the unit'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 unit monitors the case until the minor is accepted into a program, and placement and other services are funded.

SOMATIC HEALTH SERVICES
Within the Residential Services Division, Somatic Health Services began as Health Services and transferred to Health Care Services as Medical Services in 2000. It joined Program Support in December 2008; and as Somatic Health Services moved to the Office of Professional Services in February 2009.

Somatic Health Services coordinates and oversees somatic health and nutrition for youth admitted to the Department's care and custody. Somatic Health services include 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. Somatic Health Services teaches youth to prevent disease and take responsibility for their health.

Somatic Health Services provides clinical, managerial and administrative guidance to health service personnel in Department facilities and programs. The nurse manager at Somatic Health 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 treat youth in the Department's care, and for pharmacy and medical laboratory services provided to these youth, Somatic Health Services writes and manages contracts. It also oversees intergovernmental agreements for health care to youth in Department facilities. In addition, Somatic Health Services monitors expenditures for services and organizes continuing education seminars for clinicians.


OFFICE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

The Office of Quality Assurance and Accountability organized in May 2007. The Office evaluates services provided by the Department, conducts data-based measurement and analysis of services, and works towards effective improvements. It oversees Best Practices; Inspector General; Program Evaluation; Quality Improvement; and Workforce and Professional Development.

BEST PRACTICES
Best Practices works to develop Departmental policy for new program initiatives, and to design and implement them. Best Practices supports the use of evidence-based programs, those rigorously scrutinized and evaluated that provide the best results. Functional Family Therapy, for instance, works to improve family communication and supportiveness while teaching new parenting strategies and positive behavior for youth. Another evidence-based program introduced in Maryland is Multi-Systemic Therapy, an intensive family- and community-based treatment that addresses the roots of antisocial behavior in youths at risk of out-of-home placement.

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.

Under the Office are Child Advocacy; Gang Prevention; Investigations; and Safety and Security Performance.

PROGRAM EVALUATION
For compliance with Departmental standards, Program Evaluation monitors private-provider programs, out-of-state residential programs, and community-based programs where the Department places youths for treatment and supervision. For those programs which must be licensed by the Department, Program Evaluation oversees the licensing process.


OFFICE OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Resource Management is responsible for Budget and Finance; Contract Management, Intergovernmental Relations; Internal Audit; and Minority Business Enterprises.

BUDGET & FINANCE
Budget and Finance began as Special Programs and reorganized as Specialized Operations in 1996. 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. This office oversees Accounting; Budget; Capital Planning; Grant and Resource Development; Grant Finance; and Youth Assistance.

INTERNAL AUDIT
Internal Audit began as separate units for residential and nonresidential monitoring called Standards and Compliance. They combined in 1993 as Residential and Nonresidential Monitoring. In July 1993, the unit was renamed Program Monitoring and, in 1996, Standards and Compliance. It transferred from Admissions to the Office of Professional Responsibility and Accountability in 2000 as Management Services and Quality Assurance. In July 2002, it reorganized as Audits and Compliance, and in January 2008 as Audit. In February 2009, renamed Internal Audit, it transferred to the Office of Resource Management.

To ensure compliance with contracts and federal and State regulations, Internal Audit oversees those private firms licensed or certified by the Department to provide residential and nonresidential services for troubled youth. For each program, this office develops an annual monitoring plan. Staff then visit each site to check physical plants; conduct investigations; verify any corrective acts taken to comply with State and federal regulations; interview staff and students; and observe programs.

Residential programs are licensed by the Department every two years. On the off-year, this unit audits each program and issues a report for each facility.


OFFICE OF STRATEGIC ANALYSIS

In February 2009, the Office of Strategic Analysis formed. It oversees Policy and Planning; Research and Evaluation; and StateStat.

RESEARCH & EVALUATION
In March 2004, the research function from Research and Program Development became Research and Planning under Equal Justice and Policy. In July 2005, it moved under Departmental Support. Research and Planning transferred to Quality Assurance and Accountability in June 2007. In December 2008, it reformed as Research and Evaluation (Code Human Services Article, sec. 9-220). In February 2009, it moved to the Office of Strategic Analysis.

Research and Evaluation provides data and research to support Departmental planning, policy, and budgeting. Also, it is responsible for annual statistical reports, quarterly reports on juvenile detention alternative initiatives, and other critical documents, as well as the Department's StateStat component.

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