The Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is an executive agency whose primary task is to appropriately manage, supervise, and treat youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system in Maryland.
Betsy Fox Tolentino
Acting Secretary
https://djs.maryland.gov
Betsy Fox Tolentino was appointed Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services by Governor Wes Moore on June 9, 2025, and officially assumed the role on June 11, 2025.
Betsy brings nearly two decades of experience in criminal and juvenile justice advocacy, policy development, and systems reform aimed at addressing the diverse needs of Maryland’s communities. Most recently, she served as Managing Director of Young Adult Justice Initiatives at the nationally recognized nonprofit, The Roca Impact Institute. In this role, she led strategic partnerships, oversaw scaled client initiatives, and worked to expand national visibility for Rewire CBT—a cutting-edge model for individual behavior change and system transformation.
Prior to her work at Roca, Betsy held multiple leadership roles at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), including Deputy Secretary of Community Operations and Director of Legislation. As Deputy Secretary, she championed efforts to reimagine the way young people, families, and communities engage with the justice system—focusing on reducing racial disparities, building equity-driven reforms, and fostering innovation through collaborative partnerships.
Betsy began her legal career in public service, working with the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau before joining the Maryland Office of the Public Defender as an attorney in 2005. These foundational roles shaped her deep commitment to justice, fairness, and advocacy for underserved populations.
In addition to her professional work, Betsy is active in the community. She volunteers with grassroots organizations, serves on the Board of Directors for Mentor MD/DC, and teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She holds a degree from Southern Oregon University and earned her Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law.