THROUGH THIS PROJECT, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICE (DJS) WILL INVEST IN MARYLAND COMMUNITIES MOST IMPACTED BY THE LEGAL AND CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS TO BOLSTER COMMUNITY WELLBEING. TO DO THIS, THEY WILL BUILD A MULTI-AGENCY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK TO INVEST RESOURCES IN NON-INSTITUTIONAL, LOCALLY-DRIVEN STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND HELP COMMUNITIES THRIVE, STRATEGIES CO-DESIGNED WITH, AND INFORMED BY, YOUTH AND FAMILIES. DJS WILL ENGAGE IN A DECISION-MAKING PROCESS JOINTLY WITH COMMUNITIES TO MAKE DEEPER INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES THAT WILL SERVE MARYLANDS YOUNG PEOPLE MORE EFFECTIVELY.