Support Services

The Office of Support Services, headed by David Brown​, oversees the following departments:

  • Chief Administrative Officer (Tiffani Johnson)
  • Information Technology (Chief Information Offi​cer - Michael Pryor​)
  • Office of Budget and Fiscal Services (Chief Financial Officer - Michael Dibattista)
  • Office of Capital Planning and Budgeting ​(Director - Maria Martin​)
  • General Service Unit Facility Maintenance and Janitorial Services (Director - David Bell)​
  • Office of General Services (Director - Joseph Hester)
  • Office of Human Resources (Director - Phil Deitchman)
  • Office of Professional Training and Education (Director - Denise Victory)
  • Office of Workforce Development (Director - Fred Williams)
  • Office of Procurement (Director - Ronald Colbert)
  • Office of Minority Business ​​Enterprises (Manager - Janelle Robinson
  • other services that are necessary so that the agency may efficiently and effectively accomplish its goals.

David Brown
Deputy Secretary of Support Services

David Brown

David Brown is the Deputy Secretary for Support Services, which includes Human Resources, Information Technology, Capital Planning & Budget, Research & Evaluation, Budget & Accounting, Training, and General Services. David has had a distinguished career in youth work, serving as a non-profit executive, public administrator, policy analyst, grant maker, and advocate, with significant and varied experiences at the local, state, and national level in youth development, juvenile justice, workforce development, education, organizational development, and financial, budget, personnel, and contract management. David comes to us after serving for over 11 years as a Senior Fellow and Associate in the Juvenile Justice Strategy Group at the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore. David’s prior experience includes serving as Deputy Director of the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). At DYRS, he was responsible for overseeing residential and community-based programs and services for nearly 1,000 committed and detained youth in the District’s care and custody. While with DYRS, he led the development of a new case-planning process and a comprehensive community-based continuum of care that included evidence-based practices and a menu of services, supports, and opportunities grounded in positive youth development, including a range of workforce development programs. Before joining DYRS, David worked at the national level as the executive director of the National Youth Employment Coalition and as a senior policy analyst with the National Governors’ Association (NGA), where he focused on youth policy issues,including youth employment, career education, juvenile justice, and national and community service. Prior to joining NGA, David served as a Government Relations Specialist for DJS from 1989–1992. David earned a Master in Public Administration (MPA) from Baruch College in New York, which he attended as a National Urban Fellow, and a B.S. in Political Science and Urban Affairs from American University in Washington, DC.​​​

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Tiffani Johnson
Chief Administrative Officer​

Tiffani Johnson

The Chief Administrative Officer reports directly to the Deputy Secretary for Support Services and oversees crucial units within the Department, including Human Resources, Procurement, Contracts, Maintenance, General Services (Fleet/Inventory), and Auxiliary Fiscal Services (Travel, Corporate Purchase Card Program, FMIS Functional Coordinator, Vendor Services, and Tuition Reimbursement).

Michael Pryor​​
Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology

Michael Pryor​

The Information Technology Unit is comprised of three key divisions, including Network Operations, Telecommunications, and Security Services and Applications. Information Technology staff travel statewide to support the technology needs for all Department of Juvenile Services field offices and facilities.

Michael Dibattista
Chief Financial Officer, Office of Budget and Fiscal Services

Michael Dibattista

The Accounting Unit performs all general accounting tasks including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, employee leave accounting, and the statutory closing of the fiscal year for the department.

The Budget Unit prepares the annual operating budget for the Department of Juvenile Services. The budget is prepared based on major programs including all Headquarters, Regional Operations, and Support Services. The Budget Unit also monitors the spending of appropriated funds and provides review and approvals related to funding for major procurement activities.

Maria Martin
Director, Office of Ca​pital Planning and Budgeting

Maria Martin​

The Capital Planning and Budgeting Unit (CPBU) is responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of the department's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The scope of the proposed capital projects included in the Capital Improvement Program range are from land/building acquisition, demolition, design, renovation, new construction, and equipping the new buildings.​

David Bell
Director of General Service Unit Facility Maintenance and Janitorial Services

David Bell

The General Service Unit Facility Maintenance and Janitorial Services directs the Facility Maintenance unit, which is responsible for developing policies and procedures for the overall maintenance, repair, janitorial, and physical posture for all DJS facilities and offices which contain over 200 buildin​gs (containing approximately 1.23 million gross square feet located throughout the state) and maintenance staff located at all DJS facilities. The director also coordinates maintenance/construction plans with the Department of General Services and other State and Federal agencies as required.

Joseph Hester
Director, Office of General Services

Joseph Hester

The Office of General Service Unit's mission is to provide leadership and best practices in managing property, fleet, and real estate acquisitions and sales for all DJS field offices, as well as being a DJS textile coordinator and liaison to the Department of Fair Practices Medical Accommodations. This department also maintains oversight for the statewide vending services contract with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and other support services in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner.​​

Phil Deitchman
Director, Office of Human Resources

Phil Deitchman

The Human Resources Unit is responsible for advising management and staff on all rules, policies, and directives through the Department of Juvenile Services, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The unit is responsible for recruiting all positions, approving interview panels and questions, Employee Relations, approving the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), hearing grievances and discipline, return to work procedures, and working with the union through the Labor Management Committee (LMC​) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Employee Services consist of approving acting capacity pay, employee to employee sick leave donations, coordination of health benefits, retirement and accident leave, along with Human Resources training for supervisors and employees.

Denise Victory​
Director, Office of Professional Training and Education

Denise Victory

The Professional Training and Education Unit (PTEU) is responsible for the supervision, coordination, and delivery of entry level and in-service training programs for the Department of Juvenile Services. The unit is also responsible for providing staff development and process enhancements in accordance with the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions' regulations and departmental policies by providing efficient and effective programs and services.

Fred Williams
Director of Workforce Development

Fred Williams

Fred Williams is the Director of Workforce Development. Fred will spearhead DJS' workforce development initiatives. His past experience and commitment to expanding opportunities for our youth are qualities we are eager to leverage. He worked at DJS from 1993 to 2000 in various capacities and has spent the last several years running Job Corps Centers and other workforce development programs across the nation. Fred will be quickly accelerating DJS' efforts to expand access to workforce development opportunities for our youth.

Ronald Colbert
Director of Procurement

Ronald Colbert

The Office of Procurement is responsible for managing the procurement process to obtain Commodities, Facility Maintenance, Inter-agency Agreements, Professional Services including Human Services and Information Technology through the competitive or negotiated procurement methods in accordance to all applicable laws, regulations (COMAR Title 21), policies, and procedures in support of DJS's organizational goals and objectives. The Procurement team consists of eleven (11) Procurement professionals who include a Deputy Director and a supervisor. The Procurement team provides technical assistance, guidance and training to the facilities and area offices staff involved in procurement activities within an assigned region. The Procurement team is committed to operating in accordance with sound business practices inclusive of checks and balances designed to ensure faithful compliance with control processes.

Janelle Robinson
​Office of Minority Business ​​Enterprises