By Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino, Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
When Gov. Wes Moore asked me to lead the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve been an advocate for some of the country’s most at-risk youth, including a decade of service within the agency the governor tapped me to run. This is my dream job. And one of my first orders of business as DJS secretary is to further align our work at the agency with Gov. Moore’s Young Men and Boys Initiative.
The labor force participation for young men in Maryland is at a 20-year low. Across the country, college attainment levels for men and boys are the same now as they were in 1964 – the year the Civil Rights Act was signed into law. Our state still sends youth to prison at twice the national rate. Ninety-two percent of young people under DJS care are male.
The system has failed our young men and boys. Now, it’s up to us to chart a new path forward.
Our efforts start with rebuilding trust. Since taking office, I’ve met with frontline workers, law enforcement, elected officials, union leaders, and our young people. We’ve had some hard – and necessary – conversations. In nearly every discussion, I hear about the lack of trust between DJS and the community. People no longer believe DJS is acting in the best interests of our young people and communities. We have to change that.
We’re committed to pursuing accountability – for our young people and for the systems that serve them. We’re increasing staffing in facilities where young people are served. We’re ensuring residential advisors feel equipped to create and sustain a safe, supportive environment for young people in their care. We’re exploring options to better support reentry for young people involved in the criminal justice system, including addressing the critical gap in support services for young people in pre-trial detention. We’re also strengthening relationships with partner agencies that provide community-based services like therapy and education to youth outside of our residential facilities.
These strategies will strengthen the systems already in place to support our young people, especially our young men and boys. By providing the Marylanders in our care with real supports, true rehabilitation, and the tools they need to give back to their communities, we can break cycles of neglect and systemic breakage that lead young men and boys into our care in the first place. The system is broken, and to right these wrongs, we can’t just solve problems – we must fix systems. That’s the work Gov. Moore is leading with his initiative to support young men and boys, and that’s the work I am committed to carrying forward as secretary of DJS.
Our renewed push at DJS builds on the progress that our governor has already delivered. His approach to uplifting young men and boys focuses on building greater access to opportunity, offering real second chances, and providing strong mentorship. The Thrive Academy, for example, connects our most at-risk youth with a case manager and life coach from trusted community organizations.
Additional state investments in the ACCESS program support youth under DJS care who are pending adjudication by boosting workforce and education engagement and connecting our young people to one-on-one support services. And the Moore-Miller administration continues to take actions that strengthen mental health services for Marylanders of all ages, from expanding school-based Medicaid for 500,000 children to expanding Maryland’s 988 crisis lifeline. Each of these steps help ensure that we leave no one behind.
The results speak for themselves. Juvenile homicide arrests, auto theft, and carjacking are down. During the first half of 2025, Baltimore recorded the lowest number of youth homicides in a decade. And as we improve public safety, we are also growing opportunity–with more young people unlocking their potential and building fulfilling careers.
Our progress is undeniable. But we cannot slow down. We need everyone to join us in the work – from law enforcement to grassroots advocates. Our children are Maryland’s most valuable resource. Each of us has a responsibility to help unleash their promise. And the fruits of our labor will be felt for generations to come.
After devastating flooding in Western Maryland forced evacuations across the region, the Green Cadets – young men in DJS care – stepped up to serve. They waded knee-deep through mud and water to help seniors recover belongings, worked with first responders to clear storm drains and survey washed-out roads, and supported businesses along Main Street as they reopened.
These young men, many of whom have experienced unspeakable trauma, showed us the promise our kids carry every day. Their actions remind us of what is possible when we equip young people with the tools to succeed and the chance to be part of something greater than themselves. And until all our kids have the chance to become who they are meant to be – and until all Marylanders feel safe in their communities – we still have work to do.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.