Support for families and students for a new school year

The Howard County Family Support Center (FSC) offers community-based programs for parents and caregivers of children age birth to five. Located at 9790 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia, FSC programs highlight child development, parent education and health information. Click on the date to register for these upcoming free events:

Healthy Little Cooks September 9, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. / Register

Engage your 2-4-year-olds in an interactive healthy cooking and nutrition education class facilitated by Healthy Little Cooks! Tailored for a parent and child, each session includes one or two quick recipes plus fun crafts, physical activities and coloring pages. Free, but space is limited.

Join us on the Journey to Fatherhood

October 2024

This four-part series is designed to help Howard County fathers develop healthy parenting habits, while networking and strengthening their bond with other dads and their children from birth to age five. Free. For more information, contact Ovan Shortt at 410-313-1453 or oshortt@howardcountymd.gov.

View the full September Parent Workshop Schedule

Discipline and Communication in the Elementary Years

September 16, 12:30 p.m. / Virtual / Register

The start of a new school year can elicit strong emotions in your child and cause conflict for the entire family. Learn how discipline is about teaching and skill building –not punishment, develop strategies to prevent meltdowns, and prepare your home to encourage success.

Detangle with Me

September 26, 7 p.m. / Virtual / Register

In this interactive workshop, learn how to detangle thick, curly or textured hair without causing damage. Discover effective techniques tailored for these hair types to to apply at home.

The Power of Partnering with Your Childcare Provider

September 24, 7 p.m. / Virtual / Register

A parent’s involvement in their child's development plays a crucial role in their personal growth and lifelong success. Learn how to build a strong partnership with your child's program; enhance communication; navigate challenges; and engage with teachers and providers.

Free Chromebook Distribution for Eligible Familes

September 16, 4 to 7 p.m. Department of Community Resources & Services

9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia 21046/

Income-eligible Howard County residents 18 years or older may participate in the free Chromebook distribution. Only one device is allowed per household.

To pick up your Chromebook, you must register in advance and and provide:

Photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, work or government ID, passport)
Proof of Howard County residency
Proof of eligibility. View the flier for details.

For more information or assistance, contact Amber Eash at 410-313-0036 (voice/relay) or email aeash@howardcountymd.gov.

Thrive by Five

A favorite Ted Talk for new parents, "How every child can thrive by five,"" opens with a question. "What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?" asks seven-year-old Molly Wright, one of the youngest-ever TED speakers. Breaking down the research-backed ways parents and caregivers can support children's healthy brain development, Wright highlights the benefits of play on lifelong learning, behavior and well-being, sharing effective strategies to help all kids thrive by the age of five. Want more Basics Insights? To receive weekly suggestions based on your child’s developmental stage, sign up for free Basics Insights text messages here (available in English or Spanish and designed for children birth to age five) to support your child's healthy brain development.

Concerned about your child’s development?

Howard County Early Intervention Services can help!

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) will offer free developmental consultations for parents of children (birth to age 5) on:

September 17, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / Elkridge Library, 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge 21075
October 24, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045

To learn more about early intervention programs, visit the HCPSS website, call 410-313-7017 (voice.relay) or email: earlyinterventionservices@hcpss.org

Celebrate National Grandparents Day

Grandparents play a special role in the lives of their grandchildren and family members. Celebrate Grandparents Day on September 8 by sharing rich conversations and stories together as a family. Learn how and don't miss these intergenerational events at Howard County 50+ Centers.

Grandparents Day Luncheon

Glenwood 50+ Center / September 6, 1 p.m. / Register

Join us for an unforgettable celebration of the joy and pride that comes with being a grandparent! Bring favorite photos of your grandchildren to share for an afternoon filled with laughter, stories and games, and enjoy a delicious lunch.

Sharing Grand Memories

Elkridge 50+ Center / September 9, 10 a.m. / Free / Register

Join the Howard County Office on Aging & Independence to honor grandparents and other special adults who are cherished “grand friends.” Share memories, have fun and show appreciation for theolder adults who make a difference in our lives.

A Grand Day Out: Prepare to be Amazed!

Ellicott City 50+ Center / October 3, 10:30 a.m. / $5.00 per ticket / Register

Join us for a spellbinding experience with Magician Dave Thomen of D’s Magic! This fun-filled event is for grandparents and their primary-school age grandkids. This event is part of a series of intergenerational events planned on days off from school for Howard County Public School System students.

Navigating Howard County Housing Programs

Wednesday, September 18, 7 p.m.

Free Virtual Workshop / Register

Whether you're looking to rent or find affordable housing, this session will guide you through the available options, resources and support systems in Howard County. Learn about different types of housing options, financial assistance programs such as eviction prevention and foreclosure resources, and how to navigate the local housing market so you can make informed decisions.

Family fun activities for Hispanic Heritage Month

Show Pride for Howard County's Hispanic Heritage

Hispanic Heritage is about more a celebration each year in September. This legacy is part of American history. Here are some ways families can celebrate:

Howard County’s Hispanic Heritage Month Festival will be held Saturday, October 5, 5 to 9 p.m., at Color Burst Park, 6600 Merriweather Drive, Columbia. Details will be posted soon on our website.
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino offers a virtual trip to commemorate the contributions of the Hispanic women and men who helped shape the America we know today.
Celebrate the achievements of Hispanic Americans in US history, being a part of arts, playing sports, flying aircraft, creating fashion, acting in films, or helping to build the Latinx civil rights (also in Spanish).
Celebrate the culinary heritage with a collection of 25 recipes from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain.
Create your own piñatas or maraca s with your children.
For more ideas, don’t miss the Hispanic Heritage Month workshops at the Howard County Libraries.

Orgullosos de nuestra herencia Hispánica

La Herencia Hispánica es mucho más que un mes al año; Este legado es parte de la historia Americana.

El Museo Nacional del Latino Americano en el Smithsonian ofrece un tour virtual para conmemorar las contribuciones de las mujeres y hombres Hispanos que ayudaron a dar forma a la América que conocemos hoy.
Siendo parte del arte, participando en deportes, volando aeronaves, creando moda en el mundo entero, actuando en películas, o ayudando a construir los Derechos Civiles Latinos, estas personas forman parte de notables logros a lo largo de la historia Americana.
Celebren este mes con estas 10 receta s de inspiración latina. Y si quieren más, aquí podrán encontrar más recetas de América Latina y España.
Diviértanse en casa con sus hijos e hijas, creando sus propias piñatas o maracas.
No se pierdan los talleres del Mes de la Herencia Hispana en las Bibliotecas del Condado de Howard .

Latin Dance Night!

Downtown Columbia Lakefront Stage

September 21, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. / Register

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Columbia Association (CA) for a special event featuring Latin-themed dancing and music to honor and celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. CA is teaming up with La Alianza Latina Commission of Howard County to bring the community:

Live music by Pablo Antonio y La Firma
Dance lessons by Steve Jackson
Performances by Ardiente Dance Company
Special participation by Rueda de Casino Baltimore
DJ Elvira
Photo booth and giveaways
Food and beverages available

Back-to-School Support for Families

Kindergarten Readiness Learning Festival

September 28, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. / Wilde Lake Middle School / 10481 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia 21044 / Hosted by Bronze Villagers / Register

A campaign to support parents of African American infants, toddlers and preschoolers to help them prepare their children to be Kindergarten ready. Sign up for free baby items, enjoy fun family activities and more. Free, registration is requested for box lunch count. View the flier for full details.

Back-to-School Tips from Understood and Child Mind Institute:

Explore these back-to-school tips to help your kids thrive at home and in school:

Healthy Snacks for Healthy Kids

Snacks play a major role in children’s diets. Get ideas for healthy options at Healthy School Snacks from the Center for Science. Food allergies can be difficult to navigate in the classroom, there are many healthy snack ideas free of the Big Nine allergens, that are easy to pack and share, delicious and nutritious.For details, read Back-to-School: Allergen-free snacks for the whole class.

Howard County Early Childhood Advisory Council: Helping Howard County Families and Children Thrive

The Howard County Early Childhood Advisory Council's (ECAC) vision is for all children and their families to learn, grow and thrive in Howard County. ECAC members were busy this summer with initiatives to support children and families, including the Leadership Committee's campaign to show appreciation for the early childhood workforce.

“Heartfelt Heroes: Recognizing Early Childhood Champions,” presented 100 individuals with gift bags filled with self-care items, and featured drawings for gift cards donated by local businesses and children’s books donated by the Howard County Library. The Advocacy Committee sponsored a training for ECAC members, “Advocacy in Early Childhood,” to educate the community to be a voice for children's well-being on an individual, local and state level. Pictured above, members of the Access Committee assembled pre-K and kindergarten school supplies and backpacks to be distributed through local school supply drives. For more information, or to become an ECAC member, email Erin Bonzon.

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