Maryland Department of Juvenile Services

This is a huge win for the State of Maryland and the City of Baltimore. This collaboration not only gives our case workers an additional tool to supervise youth but it enables them to respond immediately when youth fail to attend school. We want youth to know we are working with the school system and will hold them accountable if they are not regularly attending. A meaningful education is the underpinning of successful probation and success in adolescence and beyond. DJS will do whatever it takes to help Maryland youth succeed, stated Secretary Donald DeVore.

The partnership allows City Schools to provide daily attendance and truancy data electronically to the Department of Juvenile Services. Case Managers are now able to get accurate, real time information on whether their clients are complying with the terms of their probation and can address problems immediately upon notification. This is the first time this type of information sharing has occurred between the two agencies.

The collaboration also expands the DJS Spotlight on Schools (SOS) program, a statewide initiative that places DJS case managers on-site at 60 high schools and middle schools. Spotlight counselors monitor and respond to attendance problems, disruptive behavior, suspensions and drop-out issues for youth under DJS supervision. They deter disruptive and delinquent behavior and assist the families of youth experiencing difficulties in their schools. Using the City Schools data, DJS will expand the SOS program to additional high-need schools.

In addition, Baltimore City Public Schools will conduct Attendance Hearings to determine appropriate educational placement for DJS truant youth, including new alternative schools with slots specifically for DJS youth. DJS Case Managers, youth and family participation will be included in School Support Teams to jointly problem solve and address attendance issues.

The Truancy Collaborative will also participate in Truancy Court Program, which is a project of the Center for Families, Children and the Courts at the University of Baltimore School of Law in partnership with City Schools, the Circuit and District Courts for Baltimore City and the Mayors Office. The Truancy Court Program provides early intervention and a non-punitive approach to truant behavior that addresses the root causes of truancy. The Program encourages elementary and middle-school students to attend school and is currently operating in Barclay Elementary and Middle School; Highlandtown Elementary and Middle School; William H. Lemmel Middle School; Steuart Hill Academic Academy (elementary and middle school); Patterson High School; and Walter P. Carter Elementary and Middle School. As a result of the new Truancy Collaborative, DJS will now be participating in the Truancy Court Program at Patterson High School.

Over 600 students have participated in the program since it began in 2005. The students voluntarily participate in weekly meetings with a volunteer judge, a team of school representatives, law students and faculty, a mentor, and the students parent or guardian. Overall, the results show a 75% increase in attendance during the program and preliminary data indicates that the benefits of the program continue throughout the school year. Judge Katie OMalley has served as a volunteer Judge in the Truancy Court Program since the start of the project in 2004.

Truancy has clearly been identified as one of the early warning signs of students headed for potential delinquent activity and educational breakdown. stated First Lady Katie OMalley. This new collaborative will be a valuable tool for both the school system and DJS to be able to identify these youth and provide them the necessary services to help support and recognize the underlying issues that cause youth to not attend school.

To ensure there is direct communication about specific cases on a day to day basis DJS has placed a full-time employee at the City Schools Office of Attendance and Truancys Truancy Unit. The Truancy Unit functions as a support unit to address Baltimore City Schools truant students. Staffing includes professional academic counselors, school resource officers, and Department of Social Services workers. Functioning in this fashion enables the unit to service a larger student population because the Truancy Unit receives referrals directly from the schools, the community and the city police department.

"Nothing matters more than kids being in school, and it takes partners to make it happen," said Dr. Andres A. Alonso, CEO. "We welcome the help of Secretary DeVore and First Lady O'Malley to provide more support to our parents and to make sure our teachers and students have the best chance to succeed."

Press articles:


Baltimore Sun: "City - Md. Partnership to Combat Truancy to be Announced Today"


Baltimore Examiner: "City Schools, Juvenile Services Parter to Keep Kids in School"


WJZ: "New Program Wants to Get More Kids Back in School"


WBAL: "City, DJS to Battle Truancy Together"