OFFICE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILIES

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

In 1978, the Office for Children, Youth, and Families began as the Office for Children and Youth (Chapter 426, Acts of 1978). It was reorganized under its current name in 1990 (Chapter 419, Acts of 1990). In January 1997, the Office was placed under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

The Office for Children, Youth, and Families helps State and local government agencies and organizations assist young people effectively and economically. The Office also informs families and the general public about programs and services for youth. The Office is headed by the Special Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families.

Appointed by the Governor, the Special Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families works to ensure a stable, safe and healthful environment for children and families in Maryland. The Special Secretary coordinates the work of government agencies to provide care through prevention, early intervention, and community services. Priority is given to children and families most at risk.

For programs and services affecting children and their families, the Special Secretary identifies inefficiencies, duplications, and gaps in services and resources. The Special Secretary analyzes departmental plans and budget requests; reviews federal, State, local and private funds used by and available to the State; and identifies relevant items in the Governor's budget. In addition, the Special Secretary issues impact statements and makes planning and expenditure recommendations to the Governor and department heads.

The Special Secretary cooperates with State and local government agencies to coordinate services and resources. From child advocacy groups and parents, the Special Secretary receives advice on local resources, needs, and priorities. The Special Secretary also advises the General Assembly on the needs of children and their families (Code 1957, Art. 49D, secs. 1-29).

The Office supervises two divisions: Administration, and Finance. In addition, the Office oversees four programs: the Children's Trust Fund; Early Childhood and Head-Start Partnerships; Maryland Making the Grade; and Systems Integration. The State Commission on Infant Mortality Prevention, the Governor's Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, and the Governor's Council on Adolescent Pregnancy assist the Office.

SUBCABINET FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILIES

In 1987, the Subcabinet for Children, Youth, and Families was created by the Governor as the Subcabinet for Children and Youth. It received its present name in 1990. Established by statute in 1993, the Subcabinet works to improve the structure and organization of state services to children, youth, and families (Chapter 556, Acts of 1993; Code 1957, Art. 49D, sec. 4.1).

The Subcabinet has nine members. Seven serve ex officio. Two are designated by the Governor. The Special Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families chairs the Subcabinet. The Office for Children, Youth, and Families serves as its staff.

CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT

CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND
The Children's Trust Fund provides grants to public and private community organizations and agencies for innovative programs to prevent child abuse and provide treatment.

DIRECTOR

 STATE COMMISSION ON INFANT MORTALITY PREVENTION
The State Commission on Infant Mortality Prevention was created in 1991 (Chapter 413, Acts of 1991). The Commission was overseen by the Governor's Council on Adolescent Pregnancy from 1991 to December 1993, when it came under Prevention and Early Intervention for Young Children. In 1995, it was placed under the Policy and Program Development Divison and, in 1997, under the Director.

The Commission works to reduce infant mortality in Maryland. In accordance with the Infant Mortality Prevention Strategic Plan, the Commission advises the Governor on distribution of State community incentive grants to prevent infant mortality.

For maternal and infant health care, the Commission established a regional perinatal system. The Commission aims to increase the availability of skilled health care providers for needy pregnant women, mothers, and infants and makes recommendations for a perinatal surveillance and data collection system.

The Commission has twenty members. Sixteen are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor. Four serve ex officio (Code 1957, Art. 49D, secs. 30-36).

EARLY CHILDHOOD & HEAD-START PARTNERSHIPS
Early Childhood and Head-Start Partnerships was formed as Early Childhood Partnerships in 1996. It received its present name in 1997. The unit oversees Child Care Coordination and the Head-Start Collaboration Network. Both programs began in 1993.

Child Care Coordination coordinates policy, planning, and development for child-care programs among State government agencies and with local planners, child-care coordinators and advocates, and users of child care. The unit promotes and markets public/private partnerships for assistance and support in child care for employees, employers, and families.

To better serve families in the federal Head-Start Program, the Head-Start Collaboration Network helps coordinate Program services with services in the community. The Network links Head-Start services with those of local health-care providers, education agencies, child care programs, employment projects, and community organizations.

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY
The Governor's Council on Adolescent Pregnancy was established in 1986 (Chapter 121, Acts of 1986). The Council had been an independent agency located in the Department of Human Resources for budgetary and administrative purposes. In 1990, the Council was transferred to the Office for Children, Youth, and Families (Chapter 419, Acts of 1990).

The Council works to reduce unplanned adolescent pregnancies in Maryland. Concerned with the social, educational, economic, health and legal problems of teen pregnancy and parenthood, the Council develops a statewide plan to reduce adolescent pregnancy and improve services to at-risk pregnant and parenting teenagers. The Council promotes interdepartmental, public and private coordination of policies and programs.

The Council consists of twenty members. Twelve are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor. Six serve ex officio. Two student members appointed by the Governor serve two-year terms. Every two years, the Governor names the chair (Code 1957, Art. 49D, secs. 21-27).

"LISA L." COORDINATION

This office was named after the original plaintiff in the 1987 Lisa L. class-action lawsuit against the State. The lawsuit alleged that children were being detained in psychiatric facilities well beyond their readiness for discharge or were discharged to settings unsuitable to meet their needs. The suit was settled and dismissed in 1997.

Lisa L. Coordination was assigned to the Office of Children, Youth, and Families in 1997. The Coordinator follows the progress of children in State custody who have been treated in psychiatric hospitals and are ready for discharge. Within thirty days of the date they are ready for discharge, these children must be placed in a setting recommended by the hospital. The Coordinator helps State agencies secure timely and appropriate placements for children under their supervision, and works with child advocates to resolve disputes.

MARYLAND SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTER INITIATIVE

The Maryland School-Based Health Center Initaitive was formed as Maryland Making the Grade in 1994. It received its present name in January 1998. The Initiative has been supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation since 1996.

The Maryland School-Based Health Center Initiative helps communities establish health centers in schools. For children from low-income famlies who otherwise might not receive services, the centers provide access to comprehensive health care. This care includes dental care, health education, mental health services, preventive care, and social services. Most centers are based in elementary schools and are managed locally. In seven counties and Baltimore City, nearly fifty centers operated in 1998.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILIES

Within the Office for Children, Youth, and Families, Community Partnerships for Children, Youth, and Families was formed as the System Integration Support Division in 1995. It was renamed Service Integration Division in 1996 and became System Integration in 1997. In December 1998, it was reorganized under its present name.

Community Partnerships for Children, Youth, and Families coordinates a system of services administered locally for children and youth. Health, education, social and justice services are provided to children and youth who may be moved from their home because of abuse, neglect, delinquency, or special needs. The division coordinates services in the community so that Maryland children, placed in programs out-of-state, may be helped closer to home. The division is aided by the State Coordinating Council.

ADMINISTRATION

Within the Office for Children, Youth, and Families, Administration was formed in 1997. This division oversees communications; personnel, procurement, and purchasing; and research, evaluation, and management information systems.

FINANCE

Finance is responsible for Fiscal Operations; Medicaid Funding; Interagency Rates; and Subcabinet Fund Administration.

Governor's Coordinating Offices
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies

Maryland Manual On-Line

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