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

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
The Governor's Council on Child Abuse and Neglect was created by the Governor in 1986 (Executive Order 01.01.1986.07). The Council advises the Governor on programs to prevent, detect, and treat child abuse and neglect. The Council is part of the Office for Children, Youth, and Families for budgetary and administrative purposes only.

Appointed by the Governor, the Council consists of up to twenty-one members who serve three-year terms.

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.

CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND ADVISORY BOARD
Formed in 1989, the Children's Trust Fund Advisory Board reviews applications for grants from the Children's Trust Fund (Chapter 757, Acts of 1989).

The Governor appoints the Board's nine members to three-year terms (Code 1957, Art. 49D, secs. 6-7).

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.

MARYLAND ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE HEAD-START COLLABORATION NETWORK
The Maryland Advisory Council on the Head-Start Collaboration Network was established in 1995. The Council works through a steering committee and three standing committees concerned with Child Care, Health, and Community Capacity-Building.

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.

STATE COORDINATING COUNCIL
In 1982, the State Coordinating Council was formed by the Governor as the State Coordinating Council for Residential Placement of Handicapped Children (Executive Order 01.01.1982.09). The Governor reestablished the Council within the Office for Handicapped Individuals in 1987 (Executive Order 01.01.1987.10). The Council was transferred to the Office for Children, Youth, and Families in 1990 (Chapter 419, Acts of 1990). In 1993, the Council received its present name (Chapter 556, Acts of 1993).

The Council has developed procedures for Local Coordinating Councils to ensure that children with disabilities in residential placement receive a complete plan of care. With the Local Coordinating Councils, the State Coordinating Council monitors services for children with disabilities who may need or are in residential placement. It also maintains an information system that assures agency accountability to children with disabilities and enables the State to plan for needed services.

Seven members constitute the State Coordinating Council. Six serve ex officio. One is a nonvoting member (Code 1957, Art. 49D, secs. 13-20).