Children’s Justice Act Committee

Background

In 2003, Congress reauthorized the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) through the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act (Public Law 108-36) - PDF - 189.04 KB.

CAPTA requires states that receive Children's Justice Act (CJA) grant funding to establish a multidisciplinary task force to review and improve the handling of child abuse and neglect cases.

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) provides federal funding to help states prevent, investigate, and improve the response to child abuse and neglect. To receive this funding, states must establish a Children's Justice Act task force.

The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) Youth Justice Division supports the Children's Justice Act Committee (CJAC) and administers the CJAC Grant Program. CJAC serves as Maryland's Children's Justice Act Task Force and is a standing committee of the State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (SCCAN). The Committee works with SCCAN and its partners to strengthen the prevention, investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse and neglect cases, with a focus on child sexual abuse and exploitation. It also reviews how Maryland's child protection, law enforcement, and court systems respond to these cases, evaluates grant applications, and recommends projects for funding.

Priorities and Areas of Focus

The Children's Justice Act Committee has identified the following priority areas to strengthen Maryland's response to child abuse and neglect:

Improve law enforcement's ability to identify, assess, investigate, and respond to child abuse and neglect, including recognizing threats to a child's safety.
Strengthen court services for children by supporting Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), attorneys who represent children in child welfare cases, and judges who oversee child maltreatment cases.
Improve responses to child abuse and neglect in juvenile facilities, group homes, residential treatment programs, and foster homes.
Expand services and interventions for children with disabilities, cognitive impairments, behavioral health needs, or other complex medical conditions who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Strengthen collaboration among multidisciplinary teams and Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) to improve investigations, coordination, and services for children and families.
Enhance training and coordinated responses for children and families with specialized needs, including victims of child sex trafficking, LGBTQ+ youth, and immigrant children and families.
Promote standardized, evidence-based forensic interviewing practices through high-quality training and consistent use of established interview protocols.

For information about the federal Children's Justice Act, visit the Children's Bureau.

To learn more about the State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (SCCAN), contact Wendy Lane at [email protected].

Committee Membership

Detective Thomas Pyles, Chair, Blue Ribbon Project
Dr. Kerry Hannan, Vice Chair, Center for Hope
Arnold Eby, Maryland Foster Parent Association
Yorri Berry, National Network for Youth
Mary-Ann Burkhart, Esq., Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office
Dr. Michelle Chudow, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
Michael Demidenko, Department of Human Services
The Honorable Julie Glass, Circuit Court for Baltimore County
Elizabeth Hall, Maryland Department of Disabilities
Ed Kilcullen, LCSW, Maryland Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association
Joan F. Little, Esq., Legal Aid Bureau
Shawn Mallet, Foster Youth Alumni
Diane Shaffer, LCSW, Volunteer
The Honorable Michael Stamm, Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County
KaeShawn Stewart, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Joan L. Stine, SCCAN Representative
Krista Trahan, LCSW, Baltimore County Department of Human Services
David Wanger, Office of the Public Defender

Committee Member Recruitment

The Maryland Children's Justice Act Committee (CJAC) is accepting applications for new members.

The Committee is seeking individuals with experience in child welfare, particularly in the prevention, investigation, treatment, or prosecution of child abuse, neglect, or child exploitation.

Because the Committee's work addresses complex and sensitive issues, membership is competitive. CJAC welcomes qualified, dedicated individuals whose experience and perspectives will strengthen its diverse membership and support its mission to improve outcomes for children and families across Maryland.

Current Membership Opportunities

The Children's Justice Act Committee is currently seeking applicants for the following positions:

An individual with experience working with children and youth experiencing homelessness.
A representative from the law enforcement community.

Member Responsibilities

Children's Justice Act Committee (CJAC) members are expected to:

Help develop the Committee's three-year assessment, including its goals and objectives.
Advise the Governor and the Maryland General Assembly on compliance with the Children's Justice Act.
Review grant applications, provide recommendations, and monitor funded programs.
Stay informed about Maryland and federal laws related to child abuse and neglect.
Understand how child abuse and neglect cases move through Maryland's child welfare and justice systems.
Attend quarterly Committee meetings.

How to Apply

If you are interested in serving on the Children's Justice Act Committee (CJAC), email your résumé to Kelly Gorman at [email protected].

The application process includes:

An interview with a panel of current CJAC members.
Appointment approval by the State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (SCCAN).