Since the 1980s, the State has altered the way it cares for troubled youth. 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. For children in need of assistance (CINA), local departments of social services are responsible for their care (Chapter 343, Acts of 1991). 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). 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. Next, an adjudicatory hearing determines whether the child is delinquent or in need of supervision. Pending adjudication, youths may be placed in community detention - with or without electronic monitoring day and evening reporting centers and private alternative programs. 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. Many complaints are resolved without court action. 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. While awaiting disposition of their cases, 4,805 youths were detained in the Department's seven secure detention facilities. From those complaints, 1,196 juveniles were committed to the care of the Department, either in contractual facilities, evening reporting centers, or community detention centers, or through evidence-based services. These usually are received from the police, citizens, schools, or the courts. In Fiscal Year 2017, the Department received approximately 21,500 juvenile complaints. Most complaints come from the police after a juvenile has been arrested, but parents, teachers, social workers, or any citizen may file a complaint.Įntrance, 217 East Redwood St., Baltimore, Maryland, August 2015. 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. The Department also administers community-based residential programs, and nonresidential and residential services provided by private vendors.

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. Whenever feasible, the Department serves troubled youth in their homes or in residences within the community (Code Human Services Article, secs.

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. Juvenile Services, Maryland Department of - Functions DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES FUNCTIONS

Youth study center