Carroll County Department of Social Services

Child Protective Services

Child Protective Services (CPS) is a specialized social service program for children who are believed to be neglected or abused. CPS extends to parents or other adults having permanent or temporary care, custody, or parental responsibility of the child or to household or family members, to decrease the risk of continuing physical, sexual or mental abuse or neglect. In instances where a child can be safely protected in his or her own home through the provision of services or other assistance to the child's family, such an alternative is preferable to foster care placement.

For more information on Child Protective Services, or to report suspected abuse or neglect, contact Carroll County Department of Social Services at 410-386-3434.

Neglect - involves an act of omission by a parent, guardian, caretaker or legal custodian, in failing to provide adequate care and attention to the child's needs, resulting in physical or mental harm to the child, or the substantial risk of physical or mental harm to the child.

Abuse - is the physical or mental injury of a child by any parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for the supervision of a child, or by any household or family member, under circumstances that indicated that the child's health or welfare is harmed or at substantial risk of being harmed.