DJS Program Specialist; Community Resources Placement Coordinator

** This recruitment is limited to current State of Maryland employees only.**

ASTD
17

DJS
- Resource Office
- Placement Unit 217

E. Redwood Street Baltimore, MD 21202

Join Us in Making a Difference at DJS! The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is dedicated to transforming young lives, creating safer communities, and fostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for our DJS Program Specialist:
Community Resources Placement Coordinator role, so join our team and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS! The Community Resources Placement Coordinator assists the Community Resources Placement Unit in coordinating statewide placement services for youth committed to or under the supervision of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). This position supports the identification, referral, coordination, and monitoring of community-based and residential placement resources for youth with complex behavioral health, developmental, and treatment needs.

Consistent with the mission of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to transform young people’s lives, create safer communities, and forge more equitable systems through community-based partnerships that hold youth accountable while building on their strengths and support systems, this position plays a critical role in ensuring youth are connected to appropriate treatment and rehabilitative services in the least restrictive environment possible.

The Community Resources Placement Coordinator works collaboratively with youth, families, providers, courts, and community partners to promote treatment stability, reduce unnecessary detention and placement disruptions, and support positive youth outcomes through individualized placement planning and continuity of care. This position is also responsible for supporting statewide Departmental compliance with federal regulations governing Title IV-B protections for youth in out-of-home placements and their families, as established under Part E of the Social Security Act and the Family First Prevention Services Act.

The position works collaboratively with the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), which serves as the State’s single agency responsible for implementing federal mandates, regulations, audits, and best practice standards related to child welfare and out-of-home care oversight. Additionally, the Community Resources Placement Coordinator conducts ongoing case reviews and placement tracking activities to ensure youth are progressing appropriately through treatment services, are not unnecessarily remaining in restrictive settings, and are being considered for placement in the least restrictive environment consistent with their treatment needs, accountability, safety, and community protection.

The position assists in identifying placement barriers, coordinating interagency problem-solving efforts, and supporting equitable access to services and treatment resources across the statewide continuum of care.

Some key responsibilities of this position may include, but not be limited, to the following:

• Coordinate statewide placement referrals for youth requiring community-based, residential, staff secure, hardware secure, psychiatric, and out-of-state placements.
• Conduct ongoing case reviews and placement tracking to ensure youth are progressing through treatment services, transitioning appropriately through the continuum of care, and not remaining in restrictive placements longer than clinically necessary.
• Monitor and support compliance with federal regulations governing Title IV-B protections, the Family First Prevention Services Act, and other applicable federal and state requirement…