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Juvenile-services chief outlines hires, DRAI changes and plan to expand treatment and reentry services
Summary
The Department of Juvenile Services defended its FY27 budget request, described an updated detention-risk decision grid (DRAI), expansion of the Thrive program and plans for a drug-treatment facility swap at Noyes, and asked the committee not to withhold funds while committing to a follow-up report.
Department of Legislative Services and Department of Juvenile Services officials told the subcommittee the agency's FY27 allowance addresses staffing, program expansion and corrective actions from audits while supporting community-based treatment alternatives.
DLS analyst Madeline Miller said the DJS allowance increases modestly and includes a network of proposed FY26 deficiencies totaling about $15.9 million for legal fees, medical-care contracts and other shortfalls. Miller highlighted the Thrive Academy's expansion (157 youths served in FY25, a 45% jump) and the department's plans to publish a public dashboard and conclude an equity analysis.
On intake and detention decisions, Miller noted the DRAI (detention risk assessment instrument) was revalidated and a revised decision grid went live Feb. 18; the new grid removes staff ability to override DRAI to a less restrictive outcome in certain high-risk categories.
Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino described operational priorities including reducing overtime and vacancies, expanding credible-messenger programs, improving reentry supports and aligning education and workforce-development efforts for older youths. "We are expanding Thrive to additional providers and counties to better serve youth at the highest risk of being a perpetrator or victim of gun violence," she said.
DLS flagged proposed BRFPA language that would repurpose $3 million originally intended to reopen the Alfred D. Noyes Children's Center as a DJS-run adolescent drug treatment center; the proposed change would allow funds to support drug treatment services and facility swaps coordinated with the Maryland Department of Health and the Department of Human Services. DLS recommended withholding $250,000 pending a report on operations and the interagency relationship.
Tolentino told the committee DJS agrees to produce the requested reporting and asked that funds not be withheld, saying the agency will submit the report and outlining plans for workforce and programmatic improvements to reduce recidivism. She described two complementary approaches to lowering recidivism: improve supports for youths leaving long-term residential treatment (education and workforce connections) and expand outreach and supports for youths whose cases are dismissed so they do not lose supervision contact and community services.
The committee asked for clarifications on implementation timelines, background-check policy updates for contractors and progress on audit corrective actions; DJS said it will issue updated vendor guidance by June 2026 and continue corrective steps identified in the legislative audit.
The hearing closed without formal action; committee members welcomed continued reporting on the Noyes facility plan, DRAI outcomes and vacancy reduction progress.
