Happy New Year from the Office of Children & Families

News for Parents and Families • January 2025

Happy New year from the Office of Children and Families (OCF). Our Family Support Center (FSC) has many fun family activities to start the new year off right, including: Healthy Little Cooks, Tiny Tots, drop-in play groups, Circle of Security, Tummy Time, Safe Kids, Baby Dance class, Building Strong Foundations, and ESL classes.

View the FSC's January schedule of programs and register soon as space is limited. For more information, email Ashton Sullivan.

The FSC hosted a successful Family Game Night in November! Families gathered to play a variety of games together during an evening filled with laughter, fun and friendly competition. One lucky family even took home a self-care package giveaway!

If you missed it, mark your calendar to attend the next Family Game Night, February 19 at the Elkridge 50+ Center. Stay tuned for details and plan to join us for another fun-filled evening.

View the full schedule of January parent workshops

The combination of winter weather and being cooped up can increase your children's behavioral challenges. Making a few simple changes to what you say, do and believe can have a positive impact on your child’s behavior and engagement. OCF's free, virtual parent workshops can help!

Managing your family’s schedules and stress levels

January 9, 12:30 p.m. / Virtual / Register

Learn to manage your family’s activities and responsibilities to prioritize and organize your family’s routine and start the new year in control.

Understanding early intervention services and child development

January 13, 6 p.m. / Virtual / Register

Concerned about your child's development? Discover the benefits of early intervention and community resources to support your child's growth. Information for children ages birth to five.

Selecting high quality child care

January 14, 7 p.m. / Virtual / Register

January 22, 1 p.m. / Virtual / Register

Learn how to choose the right child care program for your family and how to apply for the Child Care Scholarship to help with tuition.

Effective parenting plans: Co-parenting across two households

January 27, 7 p.m. / Virtual / Register

Discover key elements to build a comprehensive parenting plan, focusing on practical steps and strategies for a smooth co-parenting experience.

From the womb to the classroom: Kindergarten Readiness

January 30, 7 p.m. / Virtual / Register

Explore how early parent-child experiences shape your child’s development and can affect their success in kindergarten and beyond.

Need more information about parent workshops? Email Lisa Rhodes with questions.

Happy New Year!

It’s 2025 and that means the Howard County Department of Community Resources & Services (DCRS) turns 50! OCF is one of DCRS' office, so please join DCRS Director Jackie Scott and OCF staff as we celebrate our golden anniversary all year long.

Since its establishment in 1975, DCRS and its eight offices have come a long way - residents now turn to us for disability resources, support for children and families, veterans' services, long term care planning, concerns about a neighbor in need, and much more. DCRS will celebrate this milestone with open houses, events and giveaways at its 10 sites all year long, including the FSC. Visit our website and follow DCRS on social media @hococommunity for updates.

Save the date for the 2025 Child care Fair

Introducing the Grand Connections Series

Are you a grandparent providing care for a child under five? Want to learn more about how to make the most of your time with your grandchild, connect with other grandparents and catch up on the latest info on raising little ones? Join OCF staff on Saturdays in February for the Grand Connections Series to explore the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren, current caregiving strategies, partnering with parents, bedtime, screentime and mealtime routines, behaviors, and more.

Grandparents: The cornerstone of early child care

February 1, 10 - 11:30 a.m. / Elkridge 50+ Center / Register

Discover the vital role grandparents play in shaping a child’s early years. This workshop explores effective caregiving strategies, fosters stronger intergenerational bonds and provides tools to support your grandchildren’s growth and development.

Concerned about your child’s development?

Child Find provides free screenings for children up to age five

If you have concerns about your child's development - related to speech, motor skills, social skills or learning - it's important to act now. Waiting for a referral can delay crucial support that your child may need before kindergarten. Contact the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Child Find to schedule a screening to help ensure your child has the best possible start in kindergarten. Call 410-313-7046 for more information.

Spot the early signs of learning challenges

It can be hard to tell if a preschool-age child is likely to have a learning disability or may need support to thrive. When kids are young, they develop skills at different speeds, and exhibit different strengths and weaknesses. As they get older, their abilities usually even out, but there may be signs in preschool and early school years that a child may have a learning disorder. Read more about these signs from Child Mind Institute. If you still have questions, register to attend the free virtual workshop, "Understanding Early Intervention Services and Child Development" on January 13, 6 p.m.

Practical strategies to help families understand risk factors

January 14, 1 to 2 p.m. / Free virtual workshop by Devereux / Register

Fully understanding the concepts of risk and protective factors and resilience can serve as a powerful catalyst to navigate life's challenges. But all too often, the use of jargon and unfamiliar language can get in the way of individuals making true meaning of these terms. Dr. Nefertiti Poyner will define these key terms and discuss what each word means to us.

A mother and her young daughter getting ready for kindergarten

The Road to Kindergarten

If you are the parent of a child who will be five years old by September 1, 2025, save the date to attend one of the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Road to Kindergarten parent information sessions. Workshops cover expectations for school readiness (receive a Ready for Kindergarten toolkit); details about the HCPSS kindergarten program; information about HCPSS kindergarten registration and website; and ways to support families and children during the transition to kindergarten. Child care will be available for children ages two and older. No registration is required, but attendees should allow ample time for parking, child care drop off and check in. Information sessions run 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on:

January 21 at Hammond High School*
January 23 at Centennial High School**
January 28 at Wilde Lake High School*
SNOW DATE: February 4 at Hammond High School**

*Spanish interpreter will be present at these sites. **Chinese, Korean and Spanish interpreters will be present at these sites. Visit the Road to Kindergarten workshop for more information.

Libraries build brain power!

Did you know the number of words a child knows by the time they are three years old predicts how well they will read in third grade? Libraries can help by providing fun activities for you and your child both in our classes and at home. Howard County Library System also has a variety of books you can read to your child, books your child can listen to while they follow along on the pages, and fun educational toys. To learn more, visit hclibrary.org or sign up for one of HCLS newsletters.

Cover image of the winter activity guide with a young Asian boy pictured

Howard County Recreation and Parks (HCRP) 2025 Winter Activity Guide now available

With hundreds of programs, activities and events to choose from, the 2025 Winter Activity Guide has something for everyone. Online registration is open. County residents should have received a print copy of the guide in the mail; additional copies are available at HCRP headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia, at Howard County community centers or HCLS library branches.

HCRP Camp Fair

January 25, 1 to 3 p.m.

North Laurel Community Center

9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723

Learn about Recreation & Parks 2025 summer camps for ages two to 14. Enjoy a variety of activities, meet some of the instructors and get your questions answered. Visit HCRP for more information and upcoming events.

Boost healthy eating with Roving Radish soup kits

Looking for a healthy option for family dinners to start off the new year? Check out the soup options available through Roving Radish, available to order weekly, January 13 - February 24. Cost is $25 for two soup kits ($15 for families that meet subsidized requirements). Order through the Roving Radish Marketplace location; pick up soup kits Monday through Thursday, 1 to 7 p.m.

Establishing healthy sleep habits

Getting enough sleep is vital to the health and development of all children, yet many families experience challenges establishing sleep routines. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers tips to families on teaching good sleep habits early and helping children get an adequate amount of sleep. Listen to these tips on their podcasts: Teaching good habits early and How much sleep kids need at HealthyChildren.org.

Don't miss Family Day in Annapolis

Join the Maryland Coalition of Families January 30 for an empowering day of advocacy. Meet elected representatives who will consider legislation during the 2025 Maryland General Assembly that will impact people with behavioral health challenges and their families. Family Day in Annapolis is your opportunity to share your family voice with state representatives, ensuring they understand the impact of the decisions they make. During lunch, hear from key state officials and leaders from behavioral health organizations providing crucial services; review legislation under consideration in the General Assembly to get a sense of the potential impact on you and your family. Then, meet with elected officials and/or their staff in their offices to share your story and help them understand why their vote is important to you. Visit the MCF Family Day website to learn more or view the flier for details.

Family law services available

Tuesdays, 6 p.m. / East Columbia 50+ Center, 6610 Cradlerock Way

By appointment on the second and third Tuesdays of the month, an attorney is available for a free consultation on how to represent yourself and complete forms for family law matters, such as custody, divorce, modification of child support, and other family issues. Visitors must be self-represented and have low to moderate income to qualify for this service. Call 410-313-2135 or 410-313-2225 for more information.

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HCLHIC food and nutrition resources

The Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC) increases access to and awareness of culturally appropriate, accessible, affordable, and nutritious food to decrease food insecurity among county residents. Here are some local food resources: