Committed Treatment Programs

Committed treatment programs serve youth who have been ordered by a judge to be committed to the state for treatment and rehabilitation. DJS is dedicated to strengthening the quality of care provided to young people in placement, expanding access to meaningful programming within facilities, giving youth opportunities to build new skills and preparing them for their return home.

Guiding principles

DJS aims to select the most appropriate out-of-home program for youth who have been committed to the custody of DJS by the juvenile court. The court determines the appropriate level of care for each youth but does not select the specific programs to which the youth are referred. Treatment programs vary based on the services provided, as well as by security level.

DJS has made significant reform efforts in recent years, including an increased focus on several key principles to guide decision-making regarding out-of-home placements. These principles are:

• Utilize community-based treatment whenever possible.
• Utilize lengths of stay that maximize treatment benefits.
• Utilize research-based programs.
• Prioritize out-of-home placements in Qualified Residential.
• Treatment Programs (QRTPs) when available.
• Identify trauma and provide trauma-responsive care.
• Reduce racial and other systemic biases.
• Utilize a restorative approach by seeking options to repair harm to victims and communities.
• Foster positive youth development and resiliency.

Multi-disciplinary treatment teams

While residing at a detention facility, all youth have access to medical, behavioral, counseling, dietary support. This Multi-Disciplinary Assessment and Staffing Teams (MAST) serves as part of the comprehensive approach to treatment planning for your child and consists of:

• You and your child
• Your child’s DJS Case Manager
• The Case Manager’s supervisor
• A DJS social worker
• DJS psychologist
• Resource Specialist
• Representative from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
• Representative from the detention facility’s mental health provider
• Any other pertinent relatives or supportive individuals in your child’s life 

Each MAST reviews the results of psychological and psychosocial evaluations and educational records to determine a treatment plan for your child and a recommendation to the court for supervision.​​​

Comprehensive Treatment Model (CTM)

The Department's Comprehensive Treatment Model (CTM) uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as the foundational treatment framework. It incorporates principles of Positive Youth Development (PYD) and trauma-informed care. CTM is racially, ethnically, gender, and developmentally responsive, aligns a youth’s recommended treatment hours with the youth’s risk for recidivism and treatment needs, ensures a youth’s service access considerations are identified and accommodated, identifies the unique strengths of a youth to create an individualized treatment service plan; and promotes partnerships with the youth, family, and other stakeholders to support youth's treatment progress.

Pending placement treatment services

There are two units at Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center (BCJJC) and one unit at the Cheltenham Youth Facility for youth who are pending placement. While pending placement, young people begin their treatment services with the behavioral health staff, resident advisors, and case managers.

The treatment services the young person participates in will be counted and transferred over to their treatment service plan at either Green Ridge Youth Center, Backbone Mountain Youth Center, or the Victor Cullen Center.

Resources

• Comprehensive Treatment Model (CTM) Infographic​ - PDF - 193.45 KB
• Comprehensive Treatment Model (CTM) FAQs​ - PDF - 231.06 KB

​If you have any comments or questions related to the Comprehensive Treatment Model, please email [email protected].