Youth and Community Services Unit

Each precinct has an officer assigned to the Juvenile Offenders In Need of Supervision (JOINS) program. Find your precinct to learn who to contact regarding these programs.

YOUTH MENTORS 

The Youth Mentoring Team consists of a staff of professionals who work with young people and their families with the goal of preventing crime and fostering positive, interpersonal relationships and life skills.

OBJECTIVES

Youth Mentors offer a variety of services to Baltimore County youth (up to 18 years of age) and their families, as long as they are willing and motivated to change.

  • Resolve conflicts between parents and children in the community who have had contact with patrol officers.
  • Provide assistance to Recreation Activity Centers (RAC), School Resource Officers, the JOINS program, Community Outreach Units and police patrol officers in their efforts to assist families and communities in solving problems.
  • Work with school officials in identifying and attempting to resolve status offenses such as truancy.
  • Provide training and education to community members, conduct classes and workshops in schools.

ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED

The following issues can also be addressed:

  • Crime and delinquency prevention 
  • Decision-making and problem-solving
  • Multiculturalism
  • Substance abuse
  • Truancy

All police reports for running away, and ungovernable and incorrigible behavior, are automatically followed up by contacting the family concerned. Youth Mentors provide resources and referrals to external agencies.

JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN NEED OF SUPERVISION (JOINS) PROGRAM

Threshold offenders are first-time, nonviolent offenders or juveniles deemed to be at the beginning of a pattern of delinquency. Every juvenile arrest is screened for eligibility into the JOINS program, which diverts the offender from the juvenile justice system. 

After being selected to take part in the JOINS program, which is based on the principles of restorative justice, the youth participate in community restitution projects. The projects help develop personal growth through mentorship provided by JOINS officers and youth mentors. This renewed sense of self bridges the gap between the youth and the community.

OBJECTIVES

The goals and objectives of the JOINS program are as follows:

  • Reducing the rate of recidivism for juvenile offenders and the minority over-representation in the juvenile justice system
  • Successful intervention in the cases of juvenile threshold offenders
  • Promotion of making amends and building self-esteem through community restitution and accountability
  • Restoration of victims through prompt payment of restitution and program participation on the part of the victim, if desired

CHILDREN IN NEED OF SUPERVISION (CINS) PROGRAM

The award-winning program provides services to families with youth who run away, act ungovernably or are truant from school. Support staff provides appropriate support, mentoring, education and referrals in the community.

Services Provided

  • Provide a listening, empathic, confidential ear to families to help understand their issues
  • Foster collaboration within the family to help solve issues that impact families through support, education and mentoring
  • Refer families to professional therapists and programs for more complex situations
  • Work with families, juvenile offenders in need of supervision (JOINS), mobile crisis, school resource officers (SRO), school counselors and pupil personnel workers
  • Services provided free of charge to Baltimore County residents

Services Unavailable

  • Formal psychotherapy
  • Formal diagnose
  • Prescribed medication
  • Testing or formal evaluations of individuals
  • Home visits

PROGRAM CONTACTS

Sergeant G. Brown, JOINS Supervisor
Phone: 410-887-4709
Email: glbrown@baltimorecountymd.gov

Stan Lacienski, LCPC, Children in Need of Supervision Contact  
Phone: 410-887-5824
Email: slacienski@baltimorecountymd.gov

Officer K. Young, Special Programs and Recidivism Reduction Contacts
Phone: 410-887-5901
Email: kjyoung@baltimorecountymd.gov

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, contact the Youth and Community Services at 410-887-5823 or email policepartnerships@baltimorecountymd.gov.