DIGEST Newsletter
December 2025
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On behalf of our staff at the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition, we would like to thank you for your support and collaboration. Wishing you joy, peace, and warmth this holiday season. May the new year bring health, happiness, and opportunities to thrive.
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Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced The Path Toward Zero: Strategic Plan to End Homelessness 2025–2030. Developed with the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Coalition to End Homelessness, the plan sets goals to reach “functional zero” within five years—ensuring homelessness is rare, brief, and quickly resolved through a comprehensive housing and support system.
A copy of The Path Toward Zero: Howard County’s Strategic Plan to End Homelessness 2025-2030 can be found on DHCD’s “Homeless Services” website. From this same site, visitors will also find the County’s accomplishments and progress toward achieving functional zero updates posted throughout the year.
💻To learn more about the County’s homeless services and affordable housing initiatives, visit DHCD’s website at www.howardcountymd.gov/housing-community-development.
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Howard County Executive Calvin Ball recently joined the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) and local non-profit partners at the Rachell L. Gray (RLG) Community Foundation, Inc., to announce the launch of a new Community Refrigerator Program, dubbed ‘Pocket Pantries.’
Through this program, CAC partnered with three local non-profits: Columbia Community Care, RLG Community Foundation, Inc., and Glenelg United Methodist Church, to stock and manage the Pocket Pantries at the following locations:
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Long Reach Village Center, 8775 Cloudleap Court, Columbia (sponsored by Columbia Community Care)
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Elkridge Christian Community Church, 6327 Meadowridge Road, Elkridge (sponsored by RLG Community Foundation, Inc.)
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Heritage Realty Services, 15950 North Avenue, Lisbon (sponsored by Glenelg United Methodist Church)
💻To learn more, visit the website at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News111225.
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The Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC) works to increase access to and awareness of culturally appropriate, affordable, and nutritious food — helping reduce food and nutrition insecurity among Howard County residents.
Explore the following resources to find food assistance and support:
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🗺️ Howard County Food Connection Map: Find local food pantries, meal sites, and community resources near you.
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📍 Howard County Food Brochures: A quick visual guide highlighting key food access locations across the county.
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📘 Food & Nutrition Resource Guide – For Providers: Designed to help professionals connect residents to available food assistance programs and services.
- 📝 HCLHIC Food Resource Listing Updates: If your organization’s information needs to be added, updated, or corrected, please click here to submit your revised details. Updates will be reviewed and incorporated into the Food Map and brochures during the next scheduled update cycle.
HCLHIC appreciates the partnership of all community organizations in helping us provide accurate and reliable resources to residents of Howard County.
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Hosted by the Howard County Office of Children and Families, My Gym classes will offer age‑appropriate classes that blend fitness, music, dance, games, gymnastics, and sports. Children build strength, balance, coordination, agility, flexibility, and social skills—all while having fun.
Two sessions will be offered:
- Little Class (6 months – 2.5 years)
📅 Date and Time: Monday, December 8, 2025, 2:00-2:45 pm
📍 Location: 9790 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046
💻 Click here for more information and to register
- Pre-K Class (2.5-5 years)
📅 Date and Time: Monday, December 22, 2025, 2:00-2:45 pm
📍 Location: 9790 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046
💻 Click here for more information and to register
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Trinity Maternal Wellness, in partnership with Sacral Roots LLC (@sacralroots_sr) and JustLiving Advocacy (@justlivingadvocacy), is excited to host the Bundle of Love Holiday Give Back — a warm, supportive community event for families this holiday season.
They are collecting twenty five dollar gift cards to help bless each participating mom with something meaningful she can use for herself or her family.
In addition to gift cards, they are hosting a holiday supply drive for infants, toddlers, and moms. From diapers and clothing to formula and self-care items, every donation helps lift up families right here in Howard County.
📅 Date and Time: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
📍 Location: Elkridge Library, 6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075
Click here for more information.
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Presented by the Office of Children and Families
Discover “one-stop shopping” for child care, preschool, school-age, and summer programs — all in one place!
Meet teachers, program directors, and explore a variety of options for your family’s needs.
📅Date & Time: Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
📍 Location: East Columbia 50+ Center, 6610 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
💻 Register: Howard County Child Care Fair 2026
(Free admission — registration encouraged, especially in case of inclement weather.)
For more information or to request accommodations,
📞 Call 410-313-2273 or ✉️ email children@howardcountymd.gov.
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The Howard County’s Child and Adolescent Resources and Education (CARE) Line is a free information and referral service connecting families with childcare resources, parenting support, and other essential services. If you're dealing with problems because of your job changing back to working in an office, or because of new schedules, the CARE Line team is here to help you find solutions that work for your family.
For more information, click here, email ✉️ children@howardcountymd.gov or 📞 call 410-313-CARE (2273).
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The Howard County Office of Children and Families Parent Pages newsletter has resources for parents, caregivers and agencies working with families.
Each monthly issue features information to help parents and caregivers learn how to promote positive parenting
for children’s development.
Click here to view most recent newsletter.
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The Columbia Mom is a trusted community resource and support network for mothers and caregivers in Howard County.
Led by Claire Duarte, it creates a safe, inclusive space for sharing experiences, learning from one another, and fostering meaningful connections among families.
🔗 To learn more about the resources available, visit The Columbia Mom website here.
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A free potluck style meal indoors with on-site resource information from community partners hosted by Community Ecology Institute. Activities for all ages!
The purpose of this weekly meal is to ease food insecurity, build connections, and relieve stress for parents, while giving kids a safe, joyous outlet. All are welcome. Come help us create community!
📅 Multiple dates offered:
📍 Location: Freetown Farm, 8000 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
🔗 Click here to learn more.
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Mindfulness Meditation Skills Classes
Reduce stress and build resiliency. These virtual sessions are designed for patients and caregivers to learn practical mindfulness skills that support overall well-being.
Led by Laurie Thorner, MSW, LCSW-C, OSW-C.
📅 Date and Time: Multiple dates offered
📍 Location: Virtual via Zoom
🔗 Click here to learn more.
Cancer Support Groups
Support groups available for:
- Anyone diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer
- Anyone living with advanced or metastatic cancer
- Anyone ages 18–39 diagnosed with cancer
📅 Date and Time: Multiple dates and times offered
📍 Location: Virtual via Zoom
🔗 Click here to learn more.
Walking Group
Join Debbie Goldstein (retired physical therapist) for a walking group focused on improving physical activity, connection, and overall well-being. Meet at the bear statue in front of Whole Foods.
📅 Date and Time: Multiple dates and times offered
📍 Location: Lake Kittamaqundi, 10275 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044
🔗 Click here to learn more.
Oncology Yoga
Oncology Yoga combines breath and movement to help stimulate the immune system, build strength and flexibility, reduce anxiety, and support whole-body wellness. All equipment is provided.
Led by Jill Krause, founder of YOUniversal Love, Yoga Teacher, 200 E-RYT, y4c.
📅 Date and Time: Multiple dates and times offered
📍 Location: Virtual via Zoom
🔗 Click here to learn more.
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The Howard County MultiService Center (MSC) has expanded its food pantry hours to meet growing community needs.
📅 Expanded Hours (December Only)
- Monday through Friday
- 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
📍 Location
- 9900 Washington Boulevard, Suite I, Laurel, MD 20723
Residents who need food but can’t visit during open hours can call 410-313-0220 to schedule an appointment.
🔗 Click here to learn more.
🔗 Haga clic aquí para ver la información en español.
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The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) partners with local providers to support individuals who are fighting tobacco/nicotine addiction. Everyone’s journey is different, so we are making help as accessible as possible.
If you are interested in stopping or decreasing your use of tobacco/nicotine, HCHD can help you explore available cessation services and connect you with a specialist. These services may include counseling and free nicotine replacement products, with assistance offered by phone, text, and virtual appointments.
Click here to access the resources www.howardcountymd.gov/LiveNicFree.
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Join the Community Ecology Institute’s free Plant-Centered Diet Series, supported by Howard County’s PREP Grant. Learn how drying herbs enhances flavor, extends shelf life, and helps you enjoy your harvest year-round.
You'll have the opportunity to sample dried herbs and go home with the knowledge to dry them at home.
📅 Date and Time: December 20, 2025, 10:00 -11:00 am
📍Location: 8000 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
🔗 Click here to learn more and to register.
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The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) invites residents to join the Living Well program—free, evidence-based workshops that support adults in managing chronic conditions and improving overall wellness.
Participants build skills in stress management, nutrition, and fitness through weekly small-group sessions, offered in English, Korean, and Spanish. Topics include chronic disease, diabetes, and chronic pain self-management.
Dates, times, and locations vary. 💻 Click here to learn more and to register.
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The Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services is seeking a student representative to serve on the Howard County Opioid Restitution Fund (ORF) Commission. The ORF Commission assists with determining how opioid litigation settlement funds are used in Howard County.
Responsibilities include:
- Reviewing grant applications
- Making recommendations for fund distribution
- Attending monthly or quarterly Commission meetings
- Filing a statement of financial interest
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must live in Howard County
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Must be under age 19 at the time of appointment
- Must be willing to participate in Commission meetings
- Lived experience related to substance use or Opioid Use Disorder is preferred (personal experience, family impact, or loss of a loved one)
This is a volunteer position with no compensation.
💻 For more information or to apply, send an email to dheilman@howardcountymd.gov.
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Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center will be hosting a free mental health first aid course. Learn how to assist a young person, from 12 to 18 years, who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.
Youth Mental Health First Aid includes an online self-paced online course that must be completed before attending a virtual class.
📅 Date and Time: Available soon. Click here to pre-register.
📍 Location: Virtual via Zoom
💻 For more information, send an email to jstanto6@jhmi.edu.
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Africans for Mental Health is hosting Mental Health First Aid and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Trainings.
Mental Health First Aider Courses: This evidence-based training teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in adults.
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Format: Two hours of self-paced/pre-work online learning. Six hours of live, instructor-led training over two days (3-hour sessions)
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Cost: Free
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📅 Date: Multiple dates are offered.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Courses: Is a nationally recognized suicide prevention training designed to teach individuals how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
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Format: Online 2-Hour, Instructor-Led, Interactive Training
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Cost: Free
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📅 Date: Multiple dates are offered.
🔗 For detailed information, click here.
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Everstand is hosting an 8-hour training introducing common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. One or two certified instructors lead each course. Classes usually consist of 30 people or less and are offered in a respectful, comfortable environment.
🔗 Click here for more information.
For questions, please contact Donna Phillips at ✉️ dphillips@everstand.org or 📞 call at 443-615-3151.
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Grassroots provides free, around-the-clock support for individuals facing substance use challenges or seeking treatment—no referrals, appointments, or insurance needed. Services include screenings, counseling, withdrawal management, and medication-assisted treatment.
Their team of nurses, clinicians, counselors, and peer specialists helps connect people to long-term recovery, including insurance enrollment, financial planning, and transportation assistance—all in a safe, welcoming environment.
Get help now:
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📞 Call Grassroots 24 hours a day at 410-531-6677 or 9-8-8
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📍 Walk in to our free, 24-hour crisis center at 8990 Old Annapolis Rd, Suite A, in Columbia, MD 21045
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📞 Request transportation to Grassroots by calling 410-531-6677
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🔗 For more info, visit the Grassroots Crisis Intervention website.
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The Howard County Health Department's Bureau of Behavioral Health and the Howard County Library System is providing adults age 18 and older with free gun safety locks at the Elkridge Library and East Columbia Library branches to help increase gun safety, reduce accidental injuries, and save lives.
🔗 For detailed information, click here.
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Are you or someone you know struggling with addiction and recovery and want to learn about available resources and supports? You can now connect with a Bureau of Behavioral Health (BBH) Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) at your local library. All conversations are anonymous and confidential. Drop in, no registration required.
Peer Recovery Specialists will be available at several HCLS branches on 📅 Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 am - 4:00 pm.
🔗 Click here for a full schedule.
📞 Peer Recovery Specialists can be contacted directly on their confidential line, 667-203-1253 or 667-203-1264.
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The Howard County Health Department wants to hear from young people!
We are recruiting youth ages 14–17 who live or work in Howard County to participate in substance use prevention focus groups.
Your insight will directly help shape local strategies to support youth and prevent substance use.
📞 More Information:
Contact the Howard County Health Department at 410-313-6112 or mlacasse@howardcountymd.gov
🔗 Take the Survey Here!
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The Primary Behavioral Health and Early Intervention division of the Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration is responsible for creating a system of care for young people and their families, from early childhood to adulthood (age range 0-25 years old). This system addresses the needs of individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or both.
🔗 Click here for more information.
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The Mental Health Community Action Council (MHCAC) is excited to share their very first edition of the MHCAC Newsletter. Inside, you’ll find valuable resources, tips, and supports for children and families as the new school year begins.
🔗 Click here to read the newsletter and explore available resources.
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Pregnant or just had a baby? The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential, and here to help, 24/7.
📞 Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA
🔗 Click here for more information.
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If you are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988. Maryland veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and press 1 to transfer to the Veterans Crisis Line. Press 2 for Spanish.
🔗 Learn more at 988.maryland.gov and access free community outreach materials in the 988 Toolkit.
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The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) offers free virtual training on Narcan.
In-person Narcan training is also available at the HCHD van.
📅 Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
🕒 Times: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
📍 Location: 8930 Stanford Blvd. Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: 410-313-6202
✉️ Email: orpresponse@howardcountymd.gov
🔗 Register here for the virtual training.
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