TRANSITIONING IN TRANSITIONING IN MARYLANDMARYLAND

Walter E. VarnerWalter E. Varner

State Coordinator, Neglected & Delinquent ProgramsState Coordinator, Neglected & Delinquent Programs

Maryland State Department of EducationMaryland State Department of Education

20042004

The Problem

The Maryland State Department of Education was concerned about changes in the Department of Juvenile Services incarceration policies and the impact those policies changes would have on local school systems

The Changes in Policies

The Department of Juvenile Services would incarcerate only juveniles who commit category three offenses:

Arson Hate Crimes Manslaughter by Motor Vehicles Robbery Controlled Substances

Impact 1

Juveniles who previously would have been incarcerated for committing other offenses will primarily be given home or community detention

Impact 2

Local school systems would have students who would have been in a Department of Juvenile Services facility

Impact 3

School enrollment and attendance is a requirement for most home or community detention and probation cases

Concerns

Educational Services that juveniles receive in Department of Juvenile Services facilities

Student records do not often follow the student Special Education Services were not being

provided in a timely manner Systems needed to ensure that students

returning from Department of Juvenile Services facilities are appropriately placed within the public school system

Spring 2002

• Superintendent of Schools requested each local school system to form a central interagency team

• The purpose of the team is to focus and facilitate the return of the youth from the Department of Juvenile Services facilities to their respective schools through information sharing and comprehensive case management

Spring 2002 (cont’d)

• Teams would benefit from the expertise and resources of the Department of Education and the Department of Juvenile Services

• Teams would provide appropriate diagnostic placement

• Teams would monitor services for juveniles transitioning between public schools and Juvenile Services facilities

Team Compositions At A Minimum

Student Services which include Pupil Personnel, Guidance, School Health and School Psychology

Special Education Curriculum and Instruction Department of Juvenile Services Representatives for “Wrap Around Services”

Social Services Core Services Agency Department of Health Local School System Court Liaisons

Team will

Provide single point of contact for the Department of Juvenile Services

Facilitate the placement of all involved students Provide Case Management Review Educational Records for incarcerated students Monitor placement and work with the Department of

Juvenile Services to ensure appropriate services during incarceration

Monitor students on home or community detention

Interagency Transition TeamAdministrative Meetings - Regional

Model Programs are presented Discussion of what’s working Discussion of what’s not working Identification of barriers to interagency teaming Identification of strategies to overcome barriers Delinquent, Title I Requirements for Neglected

or Delinquent Students

First Transition Conference

Scheduled for May 21, 2004 Focus: Role and Functions of Court Liaison

Workers Large Counties Medium Counties Small or Rural Counties

The Department of Juvenile Services Operates 13 Youth Centers – State Agency Programs

1. Cheltenham Youth Facility, Prince George’s County

2. Alfred D. Noyes Center, Montgomery County3. J. De Weese Carter Center, Kent County4. Thomas J.S. Waxter Center, Anne Arundel

County5. Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School, Baltimore

County

The Department of Juvenile Services Operates 13 Youth Centers – State Agency Programs (cont’d)

6. Thomas O’Farrell Center, Carroll County

7. Western Maryland Children’s Center,

Washington County

8. Eastern Shore Structured Shelter Care, Dorchester County

9. Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center, Wicomico County

The Department of Juvenile Services Operates 13 Youth Centers – State Agency Programs (cont’d)

10. Baltimore City Juvenile Services Center, Baltimore City

11. Maryland Youth Residence Center, Baltimore City

12. William Donald Schaefer House, Baltimore City

Centers (cont’d)

13. Youth CentersBackbone Mountain, Garrett CountyMeadow Mountain, Garrett CountySavage Mountain, Garrett CountyGreen Ridge, Allegany County

Title I, Part D, Subpart 2

2003-2004 School YearDelinquent Children

Allegany County 43 New Dominion School

Baltimore City 359 Public School 370

Baltimore County 87 Baltimore Detention Center

Carroll County 99 Bowling Brook Prep

Sykesville Shelter School

Dorchester County 101 Maple Shade School

Title I, Part D, Subpart 2 (cont’d)

2003-2004 School YearDelinquent Children

Kent County 9 Kent Youth Center

Montgomery County 88 Various Organizations

Prince George’s County 5 St. Anne’s High School

October 2002 Count 791

To Be Continued With Adult Correction Transition Program

Contact Information

Walter E. Varner, Specialist

Homeless Education & Neglected & Delinquent Education

Maryland State Department of Education

Division of Student & School Services

Program Improvement & Family Support Branch

200 West Baltimore Street

Baltimore, MD 21201-2595

Phone: (410) 767-0293

Fax: (410) 333-8010

E-mail: wvarner@msde.state.md.us

marylandpublicschools.org

1-888-246-0016