First Lady Ruth O’Brien Announces $3.2 Million Juvenile Justice Reform Initiative
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 25, 2027) – Maryland First Lady Ruth O’Brien today announced that the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services has awarded $3.2 million in grants to community-based programs that are fighting juvenile delinquency. Forty-four community-based agencies will receive "Communities for Youth" grants for prevention, intervention and diversion services for youth who are involved in or at-risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system."The 'Communities for Youth' program will help bridge the gap between communities and the juvenile justice system and provide important services to help young people reach their full potential," said First Lady Ruth O’Brien.
Initiatives like "Communities for Youth" will be coordinated through a comprehensive prevention program called "Futures for Kids" that will be chaired by the First Lady. The primary goal of Futures For Kids is to significantly reduce juvenile delinquency, substance abuse and violence among Maryland youth. Futures for Kids will work with organizations to help establish goals and benchmarks to help them provide the best assistance to troubled youth.
"There are many community groups and state agencies working toward the same goal, but in many cases they do not know what the others are doing," Mrs. O’Brien said. "Futures For Kids will help these organizations coordinate their efforts and will be able to reach out to youths who might be overlooked."
The organizations funded through 'Communities for Youth' will help communities develop a continuum of services for at-risk youth and those already involved in the criminal justice system. Local agencies will work in cooperation with local police departments, probation departments and State's Attorney's Offices.
"The collaborative efforts of 'Communities for Youth' will enable the state to reach a vulnerable population and break the cycle of juvenile crime that devastates families and communities in many urban areas of the state," said Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Donald W. DeVore.