GBMC HealthCare Becomes First Hospital in the Nation to Earn NCMEC Community Partner Designation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Media contacts: Krystina Wales – 410-952-2558 or media@gbmc.org 

Baltimore, MD (March 15, 2026) – GBMC HealthCare has become the first hospital in the nation to be formally recognized as a Community Education Partner with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), marking a significant milestone in the health system's long-standing commitment to child protection and family safety. 

The designation, awarded to a select network of organizations committed to data-informed child safety education, positions GBMC's Sexual Assault Forensic Examination, Domestic Violence, and Child Protection (SAFE/DV/CP) Program as a trusted national collaborator in delivering prevention education to children, families, and the professionals who serve them throughout the Maryland community. 

"Our team sees every day what happens when children and families don't have access to the right information at the right time. This designation gives us access to nationally recognized, evidence-based tools we can bring directly to our community," said Kelly Truax, Community Outreach Coordinator at GBMC. "NCMEC has set the standard for child safety education nationally, and being trusted to carry that message into our community is something we don't take lightly." 

To earn the designation, organizations participate in a formal interview process and, upon acceptance, complete a comprehensive training program that includes an interactive presentation on a specific subject area. As a Community Education Partner, GBMC's SAFE/DV Program is now authorized to deliver NCMEC-approved prevention education presentations and share nationally recognized safety resources with youth and adults throughout the region. 

“NCMEC is happy to welcome GBMC Healthcare as one of our newest Community Education Partners,” Senior Program Manager in Outreach and Partnerships, Belinda Beltran Swan, said. “We look forward to working together to create a safer community for children and families by sharing vital online safety information and commend GBMC for recognizing the importance of collaboration and outreach.” 

GBMC's SAFE/DV/CP Program works with children experiencing a range of maltreatment, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, human trafficking, and substance exposure at birth. The program's multidisciplinary team collaborates with families, government agencies, law enforcement, and community partners to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child it serves. GBMC is the designated center for Baltimore and Harford Counties and the only one with 24/7/365 care. The team works closely with local law enforcement, the Child Advocacy Center, and other community organizations to ensure children receive the wraparound services they need during a vulnerable time in their lives. 

Additionally, the program maintains a strong community presence, educating and training various groups and institutions across the state and beyond to recognize signs of violence and abuse to move the needle toward the prevention of these crimes. In 2025, the team made 149 presentations to 10,142 law enforcement officers, school resource officers, community members, and students. 

This collaboration reinforces GBMC's broader mission to deliver high-quality, equitable care and community education, and its belief that protecting children extends well beyond hospital walls. 

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About GBMC HealthCare 
Since its founding in 1965, GBMC has been known as an outstanding, independent community hospital, combining the best of community and university-level medicine. Its 275-bed acute and sub-acute care hospital in Towson handles more than 23,000 admissions and 52,000 emergency room visits annually. Through GBMC Health Partners, the health system operates 11 advanced primary care practices throughout the region, focused on preventive care and chronic disease management. GBMC is committed to providing culturally competent, high-quality care to every patient, every time, with health equity as a guiding principle.