The Blue Ribbon Project is a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization based in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. We are committed to both the prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and as a support network for survivors of Child Abuse, Foster Care, and Child Sexual Assault.
We offer several programs that directly serve abused and neglected children, raise public awareness about child abuse, and programs serving adult survivors of child abuse.
Covid-19 Update: With the spread of Covid-19, The Blue Ribbon Project is following guidance from our local and state government and will be postponing all Volunteer events until further notice. Mirah's Closet and other portions of The Blue Ribbon Project are OPEN by appointment.
23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown 20650, Maryland
All Maryland citizens should report suspected abuse or neglect to the local department of social services or to a local law enforcement agency. Ensuring the safety of Maryland’s children is an obligation shared by all citizens and organizations.
If you are a health care practitioner, educator, human service worker or a law enforcement officer, you are required by law to report both orally and in writing any suspected child abuse or neglect.
You should report your suspicion to the local department in the jurisdiction where you believe the abuse or neglect took or is taking place.
Oral reports should be made immediately. A mandated reporter must also complete a written report within 48 hours of contact which discloses the suspected abuse or neglect.
When making a report of suspected abuse, the report must include at minimal:
The person receiving your report will request additional information in order to obtain the most comprehensive and complete information possible to inform decision making and subsequent agency actions. Because Child Protective Services seeks to affect both safety and change, information on the family’s strengths as well as difficulties will be requested.
If reporting abuse or neglect of a child involving mental injury, a description of the substantial impairment of the child’s mental or psychological ability to function that was observed and identified and why it is believed to be attributable to an act of maltreatment or omission of proper care and attention.
All reports of suspected child abuse are immune from civil liability unless they are purposefully erroneous or malicious.
St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services