State Advisory Group
Maryland's State Advisory Group (SAG) is officially designated by the Governor as the Juvenile Grant Planning and Review Council.
The federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) requires states that participate in the Title II Formula Grant Program to establish a multidisciplinary advisory group. In Maryland, the State Advisory Group fulfills this requirement.
Member Responsibilities
State Advisory Group (SAG) members are expected to:
- Help develop the three-year plan, including the State Advisory Group's goals and objectives.
- Advise the Governor and the Maryland General Assembly on compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA).
- Gather input from youth involved in the juvenile justice system through activities such as focus groups, surveys, and facility visits.
- Review grant applications, provide recommendations, and monitor funded programs.
- Stay informed about Maryland and federal juvenile justice laws.
- Understand how cases move through Maryland's juvenile justice system.
- Attend bimonthly State Advisory Group meetings.
SAG Activities and Updates
Membership Requirements
State Advisory Group (SAG) members are appointed by the Governor and must have training, experience, or specialized knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
- Adolescent development
- Juvenile delinquency prevention and treatment
- Juvenile justice administration
- Strategies to reduce juvenile delinquency
The State Advisory Group must have at least 15 members and no more than 33 members.
Membership must include at least one representative from each of the following groups:
- A locally elected official representing general-purpose local government.
- Law enforcement, juvenile justice agencies, juvenile or family court judges, prosecutors, attorneys who represent children and youth, or probation professionals.
- Public agencies that provide delinquency prevention or treatment services.
- Private nonprofit organizations that support families, youth development, delinquency prevention and treatment, neglected or dependent children, juvenile justice, education, or social services for children.
- Volunteers who work with youth involved in, or at risk of entering, the juvenile justice system.
- Programs that provide alternatives to incarceration, including organized recreational programs.
- Individuals with expertise in preventing or addressing school violence, vandalism, and alternatives to suspension or expulsion.
- State-licensed or state-certified professionals with expertise in preventing and treating mental health or substance use disorders among youth involved in, or at risk of entering, the juvenile justice system.
- Victim or witness advocacy organizations, including at least one individual with expertise in addressing sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and trauma.
In addition, the State Advisory Group must meet the following federal membership requirements:
- A majority of members, including the Chair, may not be full-time employees of the federal, state, or local government.
- At least 20% of members must be younger than 28 years of age at the time of appointment.
- At least three members must currently be, or have previously been, involved in the juvenile justice system.
Members
- Lajan Cephas (Chair) – Locally elected official representing general purpose local government
- Beyer Bullard – Youth Member
- Tiana Davis – Representative of law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies
- Derrell Frazier – Youth Member
- Wanda Frink-Little – Representative of law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies
- Janette Graham – Specialist in school violence, vandalism, and alternatives to suspension/expulsion
- Gineen Gray – Volunteer working with delinquent or at-risk youth
- Kya Hector – Youth Member
- Miya Horsey – Representative of system-involved youth
- Lori James – Representative of law enforcement, juvenile justice, courts, and probation
- Rachel Johnson – Representative of private nonprofit organizations (prevention and treatment)
- Christian Mash – Representative of prosecutors
- Natalie Miller – Representative of public social services and youth services agencies
- Jessica Port – Expert in mental health and substance abuse needs for delinquent youth
- Amanda Rodriguez – Representative of victim/witness advocacy groups (trauma and sexual abuse)
- Chris Thompson – Representative of public agencies for youth with disabilities
- Timika Thrasher – Representative of alternatives to incarceration and organized recreation
- VACANT – Indian tribal representative or expert in tribal juvenile justice
How to Apply
If you are interested in serving on the State Advisory Group (SAG), email your résumé to:
Jennifer Krabill
Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy
[email protected]
The application process includes:
- An interview with a panel of current State Advisory Group members.
- Completion of a Request for Appointment application for submission to the Governor's Appointments Office.