Overview

Coordinated by the Family League, the Baltimore City Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Reduction Initiative works to create an equitable and fair system of juvenile justice. The initiative is led by a prominent Steering Committee and partners with an Advisory Board of key system leaders.

Together, we are constantly strategizing to reduce the unnecessary and inappropriate use of detention for Baltimore City youth of color. We have developed a strategic plan to address and modify system policies and practices that contribute to disproportionality. We have also developed a DMC Education and Outreach Campaign to meaningfully and relevantly engage parents, youth, service providers and other non-traditional stakeholders in DMC activities. Through this campaign, we continue to partner with agencies and community venues to conduct a series of thought provoking and educational DMC workshops as an effort to engage stakeholders and raise awareness of DMC in Baltimore City.

We continue to strategize, develop and launch new initiatives and directions to reduce the racial disparities within our Baltimore City juvenile justice system. With our continued focus on community programming, rehabilitation and treatment for all youth, based upon national best practices in detention reform, we hope to increase community support and protection.