Published by the Office of Children and Families, the 2023 Parents Guide provides parents and caregivers with a wide variety of information and local resources to support their children. It also provides a comprehensive listing of child care and early education programs. View the digital edition of the Parent's Guide or call 410-313-1940 to request a copy in an alternate format.

Registration for new students or students entering kindergarten this fall begins March 6 in all Howard County public elementary schools. Kindergarten is mandatory in Maryland; state law requires that children entering kindergarten in the fall must be five years of age on or before September 1; children entering first grade must turn six on or before September 1.

For complete details about registration and enrollment, visit www.hcpss.org/enroll/. Read the March issue of the Kindergarten Readiness newsletter from Launch into Learning to help your child be ready for their first day!

Stream hit albums and children’s albums with your HCLS card and the Freegal Music app. If you’ve used Freegal before, it was recently updated with a new look. If you’ve never used Freegal, it’s simple! Watch this quick video tutorial to get started.

Outdoor Toddler Time at Robinson Nature Center

"Fuel for the Future," the theme of the 2023 National Nutrition Month, focuses on the importance of eating with sustainability in mind - a tasty way to nourish ourselves during every phase of life and protect the environment. Help your kids and family live more healthfully with nutrition and physical activity resources from eatright.org and check out these resources to support a healthy eating journey with your children.

As parents, it’s natural to want to help our children when they struggle. But, the stress children experience as they work through a challenge actually leads to growth. Instead of rescuing them, learn what you can do and say to help them to become better problem solvers. Read more from PBS Kids for Parents. Plus, here are four ways you can help your child stop and think through challenging decisions. Need more help? The Office of Children and Families' CARE Center staff work with families to identify their needs and help find solutions. For assistance, call 410-313-CARE (410-313-2273).

Coping strategies for kids with anxiety and depression / March 8 / 12 to 1:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop / Register

In Our Own Voice / March 16 / 5 to 6 p.m. / 7115 Columbia Gateway Drive / Columbia 21046 / Register

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) presentations change attitudes, assumptions and ideas about people with mental health conditions. In Our Own Voice provides a personal perspective, as leaders with lived experience talk openly about what it's like to have a mental health condition. The United Way Family Center in Columbia will join NAMI Howard County to co-host the program during Mindful March. Space is limited.

With more than 500 programs, activities, classes, sports in the Howard County Recreation & Parks (HCRP) Spring/Summer Activity Guide, there are plenty of options to "Get Up, Get Out, Get Active!” in Howard County in the coming warmer months. Online registration for Howard County residents began March 1, and mail-in, over-the-phone and in-person is now open. For non-Howard County residents, online registration begins March 8 at 6:00 p.m.. All other registration methods begin March 9. View HCRP's 2023 Summer Camp Guide for more options!

A recent survey by the Research & Evaluation Group at Public Health Management Corporation found that 22% of children living in Howard County have an asthma diagnosis, an increase over previous years. To address this increase, the American Lung Association will offer Howard County CARES (COPD & Asthma Resources with Educational Support) to bring additional asthma and COPD resources to the area. These include educational webinars and live courses; asthma self-management programs for school-aged children; asthma and COPD virtual home visits; and youth tobacco cessation programs. They are currently looking for facilitators for the school-based asthma self-management programs. Parents of children with asthma, school-based personnel and community leaders are all ideal candidates. Scholarships are available for individuals in Howard County interested in facilitating these programs. To learn more about CARES, contact JaKaiya Frisby at jakaiya.frisby@lung.org

Through Project ChildSafe, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is offering free gun locks to residents who need one. Project ChildSafe’s safety kit includes a cable-style gun lock and instructions. The gun locking device renders a firearm inoperable and should be used in addition to a primary storage system such as a gun safe or vault. Kits may be picked up Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the HCSO’s Command Center on the first floor of the Howard County Circuit Courthouse, 9250 Judicial Way in Ellicott City. No advance reservation required; for more information, contact Meaghan McKelvey at 410-313-4201.

Howard County's Veterans and Military Families Resource Directory is a regional guide for veterans and their families that includes listings for VA benefits, recreational opportunities, mental health supports, employment assistance, and more.

For additional resources, visit the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition's newly updated Veterans Resources website.

March 9 / 6 to 8 p.m. / Howard County Office of the Local Children's Board / 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive / Columbia 21046 / Register

The purpose of the Total Love Parenting (TLP) sequence is to teach parents to develop influence in an atmosphere of warmth and mutual respect. Integrated in this approach are parental expectations, needs of children for successful experiences, and direct expression of feelings. A unique feature of TLP is that the therapist becomes a part of the family's network and parenting skills are taught, reviewed, and transferred during each therapeutic interaction. Click on the flier and use the QR code to register.

Virtual / Register

Parents of a students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) in Howard County are encouraged to join Dr. Terri Savage, executive director of the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Department of Special Education, for an overview of HCPSS special education plans for the 2023-24 school year. Break-out discussion sessions will be held for parents/guardians of students in early childhood programs, elementary school, middle school and high school; families can also meet central office special education leaders and ask questions. For more information or to request accommodations to participate, email melissa.rosenberg@howard-autism.org or call 410-290-3466. A Spanish interpretation will be offered. Sponsored by Howard County Autism Society and HCPSS.

Construction of the County's Family Support Center (FSC)* is underway, and, weather permitting, will open in August. The FSC is designed to assist parents and caregivers by offering free comprehensive, family-centered, community-based preventive programs for children from birth to age five. To learn more, contact OCF at 410-313-1940 or children@howardcountymd.gov.