Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Maryland Community Resource Center (MCRC) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our services, including our website, mediation services, and other conflict resolution programs.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
• Date of birth (for age verification purposes)
• Guardian information (for users under 18)
• Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Language preferences and communication preferences
• Information about conflicts or disputes you seek to resolve
• Emergency contact information

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and browser type
• Device information and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties, such as when you register using a social media account or when referred by another organization.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our services
• Process your service requests and manage your account
• Communicate with you about your services, appointments, and updates
• Send you newsletters, educational materials, and promotional communications (with your consent)
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights
• Prevent fraud and ensure the security of our services
• Conduct research and analytics to improve our services
• Facilitate conflict resolution processes and maintain case records

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as payment processing, email delivery, and website hosting. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

4.3 Mediation and Conflict Resolution

Information shared during mediation sessions is confidential and will only be disclosed as agreed upon by all parties or as required by law. We maintain strict confidentiality standards in accordance with professional mediation practices.

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication and access controls
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Secure data storage and backup procedures

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Case records and mediation documentation may be retained in accordance with legal and professional requirements.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and professional obligations
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Restrict Processing: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the Contact section below.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and improve site functionality.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are available to individuals of all ages. For users under 18, we require guardian consent and collect guardian contact information as part of our registration process. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without appropriate parental consent.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

13. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete personal information, and the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information).

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: