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Connect with the Office of the Local Children's Board
Welcome to the May issue of Community Connections, a publication highlighting the work of the Howard County Office of the Local Children’s Board (OLCB). OLCB's staff support local children, youth and families through community outreach to share resources and increase the impact of local partnerships. Our bi-monthly newsletter also highlights ways you can connect with OLCB to get involved. Visit our website to learn more.
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Myth: “If you’re not growing, you’re falling behind.”
Truth: Growth isn’t always visible or linear. Rest, processing and getting through hard days is progress. Some seasons are for blooming, while others are for rooting. Both matter.
It’s important to remember: growth doesn’t always look visible. Some seasons are quieter, focusing on rest, reflection, or simply getting through the day, and that counts. Not feeling like you’re “moving forward” doesn’t mean you’re falling behind. This time of year can bring pressure to do more or be more, but real growth is often slow and nonlinear. Taking care of yourself, setting boundaries or reaching out for support are all meaningful steps forward. If things feel heavy right now, you’re not alone. Give yourself permission to move at your own pace. Let’s make space this season for all forms of growth, not just the ones we can see.
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LCB Summer Learning and SEL Programs: Keeping Youth Engaged, Supported and Thriving
As summer approaches, the Local Children’s Board is excited to share several no-cost summer learning programs for families throughout Howard County. Each program is rooted in social and emotional learning (SEL), and offer enriching academic, creative and recreational experiences to help youth stay engaged and supported over the summer.
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Camp Connect – April-May Organization
Families looking for a mindfulness-based summer camp for young children will appreciate Camp Connect, which runs June 29 through August 7 at Swansfield Elementary School. Serving youth ages 5 - 9, the program blends creative activities, emotional awareness and hands-on learning in a calm, supportive environment. Camp Connect is intentionally inclusive and welcoming to children with diverse learning styles, including those who benefit from sensory-friendly spaces and individualized support. For more information, view the Camp Connect flier in English and Spanish.
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Summer Scholars Camp: Healthy Families Grow
Healthy Families Grow will host a social-emotional learning summer camp for middle school youth at Wilde Lake Middle School. This full-day program (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) serves rising sixth through eighth graders, offering a strong mix of academic enrichment, STEM, arts, sports, and wellness activities. The camp focuses on building confidence, strengthening peer relationships, and supporting continued learning beyond the school year. View the Summer Scholars Camp flier in English and Spanish.
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Boys & Girls Club Summer Camps
The Boys & Girls Club will offer two youth summer learning programs in Columbia from June 29 through August 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for both elementary and middle school students. The elementary school program (ages 6–9) at Swansfield Elementary School provides a fun, structured environment where younger students can build skills through play and enrichment. The middle school program at Wilde Lake Middle School (ages 10–13) offers age-appropriate activities that promote learning, leadership and positive social connections. Note: summer camp locations and schedules may be updated; registrants will receive advance notice of any changes. Contact the program organizers listed on the Boys & Girls Club Summer Camp flier for details.
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OLCB's Community Engagement Team continues to stay active across Howard County through community-based events, school partnerships and resident engagement efforts that keep local voices at the center. Over the past month, we have celebrated important milestones, supported student-centered events and continued conversations that will help shape future work.
Building Resilience Winter Cohort Celebration
OLCB celebrated the conclusion of the first Building Resilience in a Violent World cohort with a graduation to honor participating parents and caregivers. The celebration highlighted the commitment of participants who spent several weeks learning, reflecting and building tools to support healing, communication and resilience in their families. This meaningful and powerful first cohort is a reminder of the importance of creating spaces where families feel supported, seen and connected.
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Spring Building Resilience Cohort Underway
The spring Building Resilience in a Violent World cohort is now underway at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center. This nine-session series provides parents and caregivers with a supportive space to reflect on their experiences, learn practical tools for navigating stress and trauma, and strengthen connection and communication within their families. Food and childcare are provided, and participants who complete the series will receive a stipend. OLCB will continue to support families through this important program.
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Lake Elkhorn Middle School Events
OLCB proudly supported recent events at Lake Elkhorn Middle School that celebrated student voice, talent, and achievement. This included a special recognition and spoken word evening with dinner, as well as the basketball banquet honoring student athletes. The basketball program supported students in grades 6–8 and emphasized not only athletic participation, but also attendance, academic achievement, teamwork, leadership, accountability, and positive behavior.
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Community Cafés in Oakland Mills and Elkridge
The OLCB team also hosted Community Cafés in Oakland Mills and Elkridge, creating welcoming spaces for residents to come together and talk about the strengths of their neighborhoods and the challenges they would like to see addressed. These conversations continue to be an important part of how we listen to community voice and ensure that resident experiences help inform our ongoing work.
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Partnership with Recreation and Parks
In partnership with Howard County Recreation and Parks, OLCB donated sports bras to students at Harper’s Choice Middle School and Lake Elkhorn Middle School. We are grateful for the opportunity to support this effort and help provide items that can make young people feel more comfortable, confident and prepared to participate in school and activities.
Everyday Canvassing Continues
OLCB's partnership with Everyday Canvassing remains underway as canvassers continue knocking on 7,000–8,000 doors across Howard County. This outreach will help inform how the Office of the Local Children’s Board approaches strategy, resource use and efforts to improve renter living standards. Community members interested in volunteering are encouraged to sign up and be part of this important work.
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Coming Up: Community Convos with Associated Black Charities
May 21, 6 - 7 p.m. | Oakland Mills Inter-Faith Center | 5885 Robert Oliver Place
In partnership with Associated Black Charities, OLCB will host a Community Conversation with Howard County residents. This listening and sharing session is designed to amplify community voices, encourage self-determination and support collaboration. Community members and stakeholders are invited to exchange ideas, share opinions and information, connect with community resources, and help identify action plans and goals.
| | DYK the Howard County Local Children’s Board is one of 24 Local Management Boards (LMBs) across Maryland? | | |
During this year’s legislative session, the Maryland Association of Local Management Boards successfully championed landmark legislation, Senate Bill 668 and House Bill 680, to increase funding for LMBs statewide. Not only did the legislation pass, it exceeded the original request, securing $2 million annually through FY30 and an additional $2.5 million in FY31. In total, this represents a $10.5 million investment in LMBs by FY31.
This funding comes at a critical time, as communities face rising costs of living, constrained local budgets, and uncertainty around federal policy impacts. These resources will help ensure LMBs can continue connecting children, youth, and families to vital services and supports.
OLCB extends our sincere appreciation to the bill sponsors whose leadership made this possible, including Senators Harris, King, Augustine, Guzzone, Hettleman, Lewis Young, McCray, and Zucker, and Delegates Shetty, Addison, Amprey, Boafo, Chang, Charkoudian, Feldmark, Ivey, Johnson, Jones, Kaufman, Lehman, McCaskill, Moreno, Roberts, Sample-Hughes, Simmons, Smith, Stinnett, and Toles.
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Getting Ahead Suite of Programs: Spring 2026 Highlights
The Getting Ahead Suite of Programs has been full of momentum and meaningful impact this spring! On March 18, we successfully hosted our first Getting Ahead Facilitator Workshop, facilitated by Quinton Askew. The session brought together current and prospective facilitators for training, collaboration, and alignment as we continue to expand the program. Throughout May, we will continue to expand opportunities for Howard County residents and strengthen our community impact through programs like the Facilitator Development Workshop.
Pictured below, our R-Rules Pilot Program celebrated its graduation at Wilde Lake High School on March 26, recognizing the hard work and growth of our youth participants.
| | On March 28, OLCB hosted a successful Pre-Loved Event, serving over 100 community members. Pictured below, the event provided essential items, clothing, toys and resources to families across the community, reinforcing our commitment to support and connection. | | Most recently, on April 15, our Teen Mom Getting Ahead participants celebrated their achievements at HyperKidz in Columbia. Pictured below, the celebration honored their dedication and progress, while also creating a fun and supportive environment for both the mothers and their children. | | OLCB is proud of the continued growth and impact of the Getting Ahead Suite of Programs and look forward to building even stronger connections in the months ahead. To learn more about Getting Ahead Programs, contact Lee Jones at 410-313-0243 or email lejones@howardcountymd.gov. | | |
Youth Leadership Development for Equity:
Empowering the Next Generation of Changemakers
Monday & Tuesday, June 22 - 23 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for Breakfast | The Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia 21045
The OLCB invites Howard County high school students (grades 9–12) to a hands-on workshop exploring how history, institutions and bias shape today’s world—and how they can champion social change and build more equitable communities. Through interactive activities and engaging videos, participants will:
- Examine systems of inequity and learn how to challenge them
- Develop skills for inclusive leadership
- Gain confidence to drive change in their communities
Parent or guardian permission is needed to attend. Please complete and sign the permission form when you register. Lunch and refreshments provided (note any dietary restrictions when registering registration). Participants will be entered into a drawing each day for a $25 gift card plus a chance to win an additional raffle prize. For more information, view the Youth Leadership Development for Equity flier.
| | Howard County MultiService Center (MSC) | | |
MSC Food Pantry
Located at 9900 Washington Boulevard, Suite I, in Laurel 20723, the MSC Food Pantry is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 to 4 p.m. Food, diapers and toiletries are available; food items are pre-packaged in "grab and go" bags. Let us know if you have any food allergies, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. If you are in need of food and cannot get to the center during operational hours, call 410-313-0220 (voice/relay) to schedule an appointment. The MSC Food Pantry service is only available to Howard County residents. View the flier in English and Spanish for full details.
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| If you need this publication in an alternate format, email Siani James, or contact the Office of the Local Children's Board at 410-313-6400 (voice/relay). | | | | |
