Beyond the Status Quo w/ Ivan J. Bates

On the second episode of Beyond the Status Quo, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates sits down with Maryland State Senator Shaneka Henson, candidate for Maryland State Senate Stephanie Popescu, and Baltimore City Question I advocate Nate Golden.

SA Bates discusses with Henson and Popescu what has motivated them in their political engagement and service and their priorities for serving Maryland if elected. Nate Golden is championing the “baby bonus” ballot Question I, and he and SA Bates discuss how the city can better support its newest residents.

Election Day is next Tuesday (November 3rd) and early voting has started! Let this episode be motivation to research what is on your ballot and to make a plan to vote.

On the premiere episode of Beyond the Status Quo, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates sits down with Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino on the day Maryland’s new juvenile justice law takes effect. The two leaders discuss whether the system is “fundamentally broken" and talk candidly about accountability, rehabilitation, confidentiality for victims’ families, as well as what the law change means for Baltimore.

About Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino

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.​​

In June 2025, ​Governor Wes Moore appointed Betsy the Secretary of The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) – an executive agency whose primary task is to appropriately manage, supervise, and treat youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system in Maryland.​​ The Governor said: “Her focus on safety for all communities is defined by executional excellence, accountability for justice-involved youth, support for the staff who serve them, and sturdy grounding in the law is exactly what we need at this moment.”

Beyond the Status Quo Website

Paid for by Friends of Ivan Bates, Ashley Taylor, Treasurer.