Office of Equity and Inclusion

The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) is responsible for implementation of the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Race Equity Framework through collaboration, strategic reforms, and agency capacity building. The office’s mission is to identify system opportunities to reduce racial and ethnic disparities that may exist in policies and practices, and collaborate with local partners to reduce such disparities. OEI advances opportunities to promote equitable practices, inclusion, and racial healing to mitigate potentially adverse outcomes for families and youth of color affected by the youth justice system.

OEI Guiding Vision

We envision a Department where racial equity informs every policy, partnership, and decision - producing just outcomes and stronger communities for Maryland’s youth.

The Moral and Historical Context

Our work begins with truth-telling by acknowledging Maryland’s history of racial injustice in youth confinement (e.g., House of Reformation, Cheltenham, Hickey) then moving toward repair through transformative action. This context grounds our commitment to disrupting current inequities rooted in historical harm.

Our Work

Policy & System Change	Training & Capacity Building	Youth, Family, & Community Partnerships
Transforming Policies & Systems to Eliminate Racial Disparities Evaluating and reforming DJS policies and practices through an equity lens Conducting research and data-driven evaluations to reduce racial disparities DJS Racial Equity Framework & Racial Impact Assessment Tool (RIAL)	Building Staff Capacity to Lead Racial Equity & Inclusion Investing in professional development to integrate equity into daily work Equipping staff with tools and strategies to lead impactful race equity work Strengthening historical knowledge to inform present-day justice reform	Centering Youth, Families, and Communities in Justice Reform Strengthening initiatives that amplify the voices of youth and families with lived experience in the system Expanding partnerships with community-based organizations and advocates Access to victim services and expanding restorative justice approaches

Policy & System Change

Training & Capacity Building

Youth, Family, & Community Partnerships

Transforming Policies & Systems to Eliminate Racial Disparities

Evaluating and reforming DJS policies and practices through an equity lens
Conducting research and data-driven evaluations to reduce racial disparities
DJS Racial Equity Framework & Racial Impact Assessment Tool (RIAL)

Building Staff Capacity to Lead Racial Equity & Inclusion

Investing in professional development to integrate equity into daily work
Equipping staff with tools and strategies to lead impactful race equity work
Strengthening historical knowledge to inform present-day justice reform

Centering Youth, Families, and Communities in Justice Reform

Strengthening initiatives that amplify the voices of youth and families with lived experience in the system
Expanding partnerships with community-based organizations and advocates
Access to victim services and expanding restorative justice approaches