The Office of Residential Services, headed by Adina Levi, oversees the following departments:
- Detention Programs (Executive Director -
vacant)
- Office of Residential Services (Acting Executive Director - Lisa Steeple)
- Office of Medical and Dietary Services (Medical Director - Dr. Jennifer Maehr)
- Office of Behavioral Health and Dietary Services (Acting Executive Director - Shannon Bowles)
- Residential Services Innovation Teams (Project Manager - Nel Andrews)
- Residential Services Innovation Teams (Special Advisor - Joel Castón)
Adina Levi
Deputy Secretary of Residential Services
Adina Levi is the Deputy Secretary of Residential Services. Adina has a Bachelor of Sociology Degree with a minor in Urban Policy studies and a Master of Community Counseling Degree from Roosevelt University. She has served in executive positions in both the public and private sectors. Adina previously worked at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), serving as the Chief Program Manager for Community Programs before being promoted to Deputy Director of Secure Programs. She also served as Executive Director at Recovery Centers of America, overseeing the operations of the 140-bed residential and outpatient substance use treatment facility in the state of Maryland.
Executive Director of Detention Programs
(vacant)
The Executive Director of Detention Programs with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) oversees the programming, safety, and security for the Department of Juvenile Services' detention facilities, along with the Foster Grandparents Program and CHAMPS.
Lisa Steeple
Acting Executive Director, Office of Residential Services
This unit oversees the programming, safety and security, education, and transportation for the Department of Juvenile Services' commitment facilities.
Dr. Jennifer Maehr
Medical Director, Office of Medical and Dietary Services
The Medical Director oversees the provision of medical and dietary services to youth in DJS facilities throughout the State of Maryland.
Shannon Bowles
Acting Executive Director for Behavioral Health and Dietary Services
Shannon Bowles is the Acting Executive Director for Behavioral Health and Dietary Services. He is a graduate of Frostburg State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Fine Arts and a Master of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology. He earned a Post Master's Certificate in Criminal Justice - Behavior Analysis and has more than 26 years for the State of Maryland. He worked throughout the department in various positions including Addictions Counselor, Psychotherapist, Alcohol and Drug Professional Counselor - Supervisor, Program Administrator and Regional Coordinator for Behavioral Health Services for the Youth Centers. He is dually credentialed in Mental Health and Addictions Treatment as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) and is board approved to supervise in both disciplines.
This unit administers the behavioral health service program in all DJS facilities. These services include: mental health, behavioral health counseling, mental health treatment, and substance abuse treatment. In addition, this unit oversees implementation and fidelity of DJS Evidence-Based Treatment Services through individualized treatment and service plans that are developed for each youth.
Nel Andrews
Project Manager, Residential Services Innovation Teams
Nel Andrews, Project Manager for the Residential Services Innovation Teams, has centered her 23-year career around a commitment to racial justice and advancing equity and inclusion in systems and organizations. Prior to joining DJS, she worked as an independent consultant and coach where she leveraged her experiences in non-profit leadership and large-scale public system reform efforts. Her work includes having led a team to design and create a specialized unit for young adults for the NYC Department of Corrections. Nel also worked at the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, participating in long-term systems change engagements at the state and local level in various places across the country. Nel earned a Master of Science in Justice, Law, & Society from American University, a Bachelor of Arts in History from Guilford College, and her coaching certification from Coach Diversity, an approved International Coaching Federation trainer in Washington, DC.
Joel Castón
Special Advisor, Residential Services Innovation Teams
Joel Castón is the Special Advisor of the Residential Services Innovation Teams. Joel brings a powerful perspective shaped by over 27 years of lived experience within the criminal justice system. As the first incarcerated person ever elected to public office in Washington, DC, he is committed to creating positive change.
Drawing on wisdom gained on both sides of the bars, Joel has collaborated closely with advocacy groups, policymakers, and government agencies to reform the culture of mass incarceration. He co-founded, helped design and ran the acclaimed Young Men Emerging (YME) unit at the DC Jail, a specialized treatment unit serving young adults 18-25 years of age and he also was on a team that designed and created a specialized unit for young adults for the NYC Department of Corrections.
Since his release in 2021, Castón has continued making an impact through roles as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Re-Entry Program Director, Co-Chair of DC’s Redistricting Task Force, and providing financial literacy programming for youth through his Currency Catchers curriculum. While incarcerated Joel studied Government and Law with Georgetown University, and has also completed certificates in business and investing, including becoming a certified health and life insurance agent.
