Maryland DJS

Secretary Fox Tolentino joined Baltimore Sun's Armstrong Williams on FOX45 to discuss Maryland public safety, school engagement, mental health, and DJS's 5-year youth success vision.

A fun day at Camden Yards with the DJS team. We’re grateful for the passion and commitment our team brings to the field — both at work and at Camden Yards. ⚾

The Juvenile Services Education Board and Program (JSEP) meets Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9 am. This meeting will be held virtually and live-streamed via YouTube. youtube.com/live/tZ57UoiSY… #JuvenileServicesEducation #JSEP #BoardMeeting

This week, DJS met with local fishery, Reliant Fish, to learn how the agency is supporting Maryland-fresh and family-owned businesses to supply nutritious meals for our youth. 🍽️DJS is proud to be a part of @GovWesMoore’s initiative to buy and supply locally-owned businesses.

#DJSNEWS: @GovWesMoore signed 2 key juvenile justice bills this week. SB 323 moves more youth to juvenile court for faster accountability & better public safety. SB 776 creates a commission to study & preserve the House of Reformation Cemetery history. DJS supports both efforts.

Today, I’m thinking of all the service members who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. People who led with courage, believed in the promise of our country, and put it all on the line to defend our freedom. Dawn and I pray for them and their families, and we pray for the safety of all our service members who stand watch in harm’s way.

#InternalAuditMonth reminds us that progress in the juvenile justice system depends on strong oversight. DJS has both strong internal and external oversight.

DJS hosted multiple commencement ceremonies across our facilities, celebrating youth who worked hard to reach this milestone. JSEP goes beyond graduation, offering college & career events that help students explore their post‑secondary pathways and plan for the future.

#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth highlights behavioral health's role in supporting our youth through trauma‑informed care and emotional support at DJS. Our staff wore green in support of mental health and building a stronger, healthier community. 💚

Our #DJSGreenCadets recently received hands‑on training from Baltimore @RecNParks at Clifton Yard. Youth learned to operate hedge saw equipment and put their new skills to work cleaning up a park/playground in Bel Air Edison. 🌳

Developing leaders means better outcomes for justice-involved youth and a safer future. The DJS Emerging Leadership Program empowers rising leaders to strengthen teams, elevate care, and build a resilient DJS.

Secretary Fox Tolentino connected with partners on the Lower Eastern Shore: joined Freedom in Motion at LESCC, met Wicomico Court, spoke with law enforcement, and visited DJS's hiring event. Together, we build opportunities for youth.

When young people are given real opportunities to contribute, they begin to see themselves as capable and valued members of their community. For #EarthDay, the Backbone Mountain Youth Center came together for a day of teamwork, planting trees and flowers, and laying new grass.🪴

Great visit to Cheltenham Youth Detention Center with @OAGMaryland and Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino. We provided a tour of the facility, shared updates, and introduced the Attorney General to the dedicated staff serving Maryland's youth.

This week, @GovWesMoore, Sec. Fox Tolentino, Thomson, & local leaders unveiled a historic landmark affirming a shared commitment to truth, recognition, and healing. Honoring those who endured injustice. Naming our history clearly. Continuing the work of accountability & progress.

Loving our state does not mean lying about its history. It means telling the truth — even when the truth is hard. Today we honored the more than 230 Black boys who died at the House of Reformation and lie in unmarked graves. And today, we announced that we are restoring their burial sites. Their stories deserve justice and their souls deserve eternal peace.

This week, Sec. Fox Tolentino met with partners across MD, highlighting Safer Stronger Together in PG County, visiting the Carroll County Youth Service Bureau, and joined events in Baltimore City to recognize the vital role of community collaboration.

The Juvenile Services Education Board and Program (JSEP) meets Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 9 am. This meeting will be held virtually and live-streamed via YouTube. youtube.com/live/4NTebw1fq… #JuvenileServicesEducation #JSEP #BoardMeeting

☀️DJS is helping MD youth build skills, confidence, and brighter futures. Through partnerships with @MD_Labor & local businesses, young people gain job‑readiness training and real work experience year‑round.

DJS staff and youth teamed up with @Homes4HopeLLC, a local treatment agency, for a victims' awareness class and to plant some greens! 🌿They are sprucing up their new treatment building in recognition of #NationalCrimeVictimsRightsWeek.