The Systems Reform movement began almost a decade ago with the challenge of changing the way services are provided to children and families in Maryland. Local management boards in each jurisdiction are responsible for the design and implementation of these reform efforts. Earned by redirecting crisis intervention dollars to earlier and less expensive interventions, these savings were used to meet the needs of children and families. The Maryland Court of Appeals in 1998 approved a rule enabling the creation of family court divisions in Maryland's five largest Circuit Courts. Baltimore City, which started a family unit in 1996, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County are all developing family courts to combine many elements of juvenile and civil courts and consolidate the handling of domestic matters.
Domestic matters make up at least half of all civil cases filed in the state.
Divorce, custody, paternity, child support, name changes, involuntary commitments to state hospitals and withholding medical care hearings will now all be handled by the same judge so families will no longer have to appear before multiple judges in multiple courts to conduct business and resolve their disputes. The Court of Appeals also authorized a six-hour seminar for divorcing parents and empowered the court to help families obtain services. Depending on the funding provided, some family courts may also offer mediation, how-to seminars for parents, and mental health evaluations.