The Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is an executive agency whose primary task is to appropriately manage, supervise, and treat youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system in Maryland.

The Department of Juvenile Services is involved in nearly every stage of the juvenile justice process from the moment a youth is brought into a juvenile intake center by the police or as a result of a citizen complaint to the time when a youth returns to the community after completing treatment.

Our Mission

To transform young people’s lives, create safer communities, and forge more equitable systems through community-based partnerships that hold youth accountable while building on their strengths and support systems.

Our Vision

Providing pathways to success for youth and families through partnerships across Maryland.

Our Value​s

• We value the youth, families, and communities we serve.
• ​We value people who are providing positive opportunities for youth in our care.
• We value the safety, experience, expertise, diversity, passion, and integrity of our staff.
• We value the delivery of meaningful services, supports, and opportunities to youth and families.
• We value race equity and work to dismantle systemic and institutional policies and practices that perpetuate racial disparities.
• We value cultural humility and celebrate all human differences, including race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.
• We value partnering with youth, families, and communities to leverage opportunities that promote positive growth and development.
• We value a community-based approach that holds youth accountable with the least-restrictive and most appropriate interventions, recognizing the need for trauma-informed care and a holistic approach to healing.
• We value those impacted by crime.
• We value the voices of youth, families, staff, and community members, including those with experience inside criminal and juvenile justice systems.
• We value continuous learning and responsibility throughout the system.
• We value change for the growth opportunities it brings.
• We value teamwork, interagency coordination, and grassroots partnerships.