Maryland Department of Juvenile Services

The Office of Professional Services ensures the delivery of quality health, behavioral health and educational services in all DJS operated residential facilities by setting standards, promoting best practices and hiring certified/licensed staff. The Office also ensures the seamless transition of youth from residential placement into the community. The Office focuses on connecting youth with health and behavioral health services in the community and successful re-entry into their home school to improve outcomes for youth. The Office of Professional Services is comprised of the following units:

Somatic Health Services (healthcare and nutritional services)

The mission of the DJS somatic health division is to protect, promote, and advance the health of all youth in the care of the Department of Juvenile Services. An interdisciplinary team of health professionals including nurses, physicians, dieticians, and dentists provide compassionate and comprehensive care to youth for their preventative, acute, and chronic health needs while in the care of a DJS facility.

Youth who are committed or detained at a DJS facility receive a thorough nursing health assessment soon after admission. This assessment includes a review of the youth's current health needs, medications, allergies, past medical history, tuberculosis testing, and laboratory screening for anemia and communicable diseases. Immunization records of youth are requested, and vaccines are provided to youth through the Vaccines for Children Program following the Recommended Immunization Schedule by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Within 7 days of admission, youth receive a history and physical examination by a board certified physician or nurse practitioner following guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Well woman, gynecological, and obstetrical care is available to all girls requiring these services, and four of the current DJS facilities have on-site dental suites for the provision of preventative, acute and chronic dental care.

Youth with identified health conditions receive follow-up care with the nursing and physician staff and if needed, are referred to community health professionals and specialists. Registered nurses coordinate daily sick call requests by youth and appropriately refer those requiring further evaluation to the on-site clinician or to community health providers.

Professionals within the somatic health division are consulted to assist with DJS youth living in the community or at other placements to ensure that their health needs are being met. This consultation is provided by on-site visits and assessments and by coordination of care with the DJS case managers.

The Somatic Health Division is in the process of expanding its Employee Health and Infectious Disease Program including Pandemic influenza preparedness.


Food and Nutrition Services

The Food and Nutrition Services of the Somatic Health Division ensures that all youth in DJS facilities meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances for their age as established by the National Academy of Sciences. In addition, DJS facilities participate in the Federal Child Nutrition Program which includes nutrition educational activities to promote healthy eating for a lifetime. Seasonal menus that meet current standards for Dietary Allowances and the Child Nutrition Program are developed by DJS Registered Dietitians. DJS dieticians also perform individual nutrition consultations for youth as requested by nursing and physician staff for conditions such as diabetes, obesity, food allergies, pregnancy, special diets following surgery, and eating disorders.


Contact information for the Division of Somatic Health:

Address: One Center Plaza, 120 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201

Division Secretary: Cynthia Stevenson, 410-230-3130

Director of Nursing: Kay Schoo, RN, 410-230-3256

Nursing Program Consultant for Special Projects:Jessica Petersen, MSN, MPH, 410-230-3387

Nutrition Services Administrator; Pat Faught, MS, RD, LD, 410-230-3257

Director of Infection Control and Employee Health; Taffy Clark, RN, 410-230-3255

Medical Director: Jennifer Maehr, MD, 410-230-3217



Behavioral Health Services (mental health and substance abuse services)

Many youth who come to the attention of the Department of Juvenile Services present with mental health and substance abuse issues. Frequently, mental health and substance abuse problems co-occur resulting in multiple clinical conditions and psychosocial problems. The Behavioral Health Services Unit has oversight, monitors and provides treatment services for these youth.


Community Services

Most youth involved with the Department of Juvenile Services are living in the community on probation. In order to address the mental health and/or substance abuse needs of these youth, the Department makes referrals to appropriate community based services located in every jurisdiction. Youth may also be referred to other specialized services, such as the two listed below:

Drug Court: Community based substance abuse services are provided to youth through the eleven drug courts in the State.

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and Multi-systemic Therapy (MST): Youth who are at risk for out of home placement may also be referred to FFT and MST to prevent such placements. These two evidenced- based, family focused interventions are designed to improve family interaction and prevent re-arrest.


Residential Facilities

Youth who are detained and/or committed to residential facilities that are identified as having mental health and/or substances problems receive treatment services from behavioral health professionals. These professionals provide the services that are listed below:

Screening: All youth who are admitted to a detention or committed facility are screened for mental health and substance abuse problems including suicidal ideation.

Assessment: All youth who screen positive for a mental health and/or substance abuse problem receive further assessment, evaluation and diagnostic services.

Suicide Prevention: All youth who are at risk for suicide are provided with appropriate crisis intervention and treatment.

Treatment: Individualized treatment plans are developed based on the assessment. Treatment services include substance abuse prevention and treatment services; individual, group and family counseling; psychiatric services including evaluation and medication monitoring. Families are encouraged to participate in treatment.

Aftercare: Behavioral health professionals develop aftercare plans that link youth and their families with appropriate services one they return to the community. Families are encouraged to participate in aftercare planning while the youth is in the facility.


Contact information for the Division of Behavioral Health:

Address: One Center Plaza, 120 W Fayette St., Baltimore, MD 21201

Director: Ghia Ridley-Pearson, 410-230-3236

Division Secretary: Melissa Caldwell, 410-230-3124

Coordinator of Substance Abuse Services: Alberta Brier, 410-230-3224

Coordinator of Special Projects: Esther Diggs, MA, 410-230-3227

Chief Psychologist: Lee Crump, Ph.D., 410-230-3480



Education Services

The DJS Educational services Unit is responsible for the ongoing education and vocational training of youth in DJS facilities. The Unit is responsible for transitioning youth back to their home school upon release from DJS placement, assisting youth in applying for post-secondary training and directing them in finding meaningful employment.


Contact information for Education Services:

Andrew Hubner, Superintendent of Schools, 410-230-3260




Placement Services

The Placement unit oversees the placement of youth statewide, oversees the statewide resource offices, ensures that sufficient per diem resources are available to meet Department placement needs and ensures that federal protections are met for youth and their families when a youth is removed from their home. Placement also will continue to be a centralized function. The Placement Unit performs the following functions:

Develops policy and procedures for required placement activities with emphasis on staffing decisions, appropriateness of placements and timeliness of resource activities and operates the Title IV-B program;     Assists in the placement of difficult to place youth;     Serves as a resource for program information by providing resource offices with information about the programs authorized for use by the Department;     Documents placement activities and tracks services provided to youth;     Participates in regional placement meetings to assist in identifying and removing barriers to placement; and     Represents the department at the State Coordinating Council, the Multi-Agency Review Team, the State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect; the Per Diem Review Committee, and the Interagency Rates Committee.