# Human Services (GHU)

## Title 8. Children, Youth, and Families

### Subtitle 6. At-Risk Youth Prevention and Diversion Programs

#### Section 8-601

In this subtitle, "at-risk youth prevention and diversion program" means services provided to school-aged youth and their families to prevent or divert youth from entering the juvenile justice system and to help make them ready for adulthood by age 21.

#### Section 8-602

An at-risk youth prevention and diversion program may be:

(1)

  (i) community-based;

  (ii) school-based;

  (iii) neighborhood-based; or

  (iv) faith-based; and

(2) nonresidential.

#### Section 8-603

(a) At-risk youth prevention and diversion programs shall be coordinated, monitored, and supported by local management boards.

(b) A local management board shall:

  (1) develop a request for funds based on the recommendations of the local planning group convened in accordance with Sec. 8-605(b) of this subtitle;

  (2) award funds to local agencies or organizations to provide direct services;

  (3) monitor and evaluate at-risk youth prevention and diversion program performance;

  (4) provide technical assistance to at-risk youth prevention and diversion programs as needed;

  (5) promote cost-effectiveness strategies;

  (6) measure at-risk youth prevention and diversion program outcomes; and

  (7) provide fiscal and program reports to the Office.

(c) As part of the prevention element of the 3-year plan developed by the Children's Cabinet establishing priorities and strategies for the coordinated delivery of services for children and families, the local management board shall:

  (1) assess the adequacy, availability, and accessibility of current community-based services that:

    (i) prevent and divert entry and reentry into the juvenile system;

    (ii) provide alternatives to incarceration and institutionalization;

    (iii) prevent and divert criminal behavior; and

    (iv) increase personal responsibility and self-sufficiency;

  (2) identify unserved neighborhoods or communities with critical needs and significant numbers of at-risk or delinquent youth; and

  (3) recommend programs that can be established or enhanced to address the unmet needs of youth and their families.

#### Section 8-604

(a) A local management board shall apply to the Office for funding for an at-risk youth prevention and diversion program.

(b) The application shall demonstrate that the local management board has convened a local planning group consisting of parents, youth, and representatives of public and private agencies that have knowledge of and experience working with at-risk youth and families.

#### Section 8-605

On or before December 31 each year, the Office shall report:

(1) to the General Assembly, in accordance with Sec. 2-1257 of the State Government Article, on the implementation and effectiveness of at-risk youth prevention and diversion programs; and

(2) to the Department of Juvenile Services on:

  (i) the number of children referred to an at-risk youth prevention and diversion program in the previous year;

  (ii) the age, gender, and race of children referred to an at-risk youth prevention and diversion program in the previous year; and

  (iii) the number of children currently enrolled in an at-risk youth prevention and diversion program.

---

Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)