OCF Supports Children's Mental Health Matters Month

The Office of Children and Families (OCF) announces the 2026 Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign (CMHM). Held in May, CMHM highlights the importance of caring for every child’s mental health. CMHM is sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Maryland and supported by OCF with the Maryland Department of Health - Behavioral Health Administration, Maryland Family Network, the Maryland State Department of Education and others.

OCF can help you take the first steps toward finding mental health support for your child! Register to attend Navigating Your Child’s Mental Health Journey on May 21 at 1 p.m., a virtual workshop which explores the stages of mental health and identifies local resources and supports to help you start helping your child. 

Chalk Up Positive Vibes in Your Neighborhood

Help bring awareness to Children’s Mental Health Matters Month and have some fun too!. Spend time outside with your kids creating chalk drawings or writing inspirational messages on your sidewalk or driveway. Once completed, take a photo of your artwork and email it to Children@howardcountymd.gov so we can share it on our @hococommunity Facebook page. Show the community that you care about and support children’s mental health through your creative designs! View the Chalk Up Positive Vibes flier.

Access support and resources from OCF without leaving home! View the May schedule of virtual workshops and/or click the title of a workshop, below, to register.

Parent’s Guide to Challenging Behaviors

Wednesday, May 6, 7:30 p.m.

Discover a proven, research-based approach to better understand your child’s behavior and what influences it. Learn practical tools to prevent challenging behaviors—and handle them calmly when they do occur. For parents of children ages two to eight.

Parent’s Guide to Challenging Behaviors Mini Sessions

Part 1, Wednesday, May 6, 12:30 p.m.

Part 2, Wednesday, May 20, 12:30 p.m.

In these 30-minute mini sessions, parents can ask questions, gain ready-to-use strategies and leave feeling more confident in your parenting.

Helping Young Children Manage Anxiety

Tuesday, May 19, 7 p.m.

Facing new situations, anticipating changes and making friends can overwhelm young children and impact their wellbeing and family life. Learn to recognize signs of anxiety and practice simple strategies to help them cope. A mental health professional will share tips and answer your questions. For parents of children ages two to eight.

Sensory Play for Infants and Toddlers

Wednesday, May 20, 8 p.m.

Discover the power of sensory play for your infant or toddler and how simple, hands-on activities can support your child’s growth and development. Explore easy, low-cost ideas to help your child use their senses—touching, seeing, hearing, and more—to support language development, thinking skills, and emotional regulation Leave with practical ideas to create a sensory-rich environment at home that supports your child from birth to age 3.

Navigating Your Child’s Mental Health Journey

Thursday, May 21, 1 p.m.

Whether you want to support your child’s social emotional health or have concerns about their behavior, knowing where to go for answers can be challenging for parents and caregivers. The Howard County Local Children’s Board and the Howard County Bureau of Behavioral Health can help you learn the stages of mental health and identify local resources and supports to guide your understanding, provide choices, education and intervention to help you start helping your child.

Enhancing Rituals and Routines

Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m. (with Howard County Library System)

Explore why daily rituals and routines matter and how they support your child’s growth, development, and sense of security. Get practical ideas to strengthen connections, ease transitions, enrichg family moments, and adapt routines to meet each child’s needs. Discover how everyday moments—mealtime, bedtime, and playtime—can become meaningful learning opportunities. For families of children from birth to age five.

Positive Strategies for Managing Frustration

Tuesday, May 26, 12:30 p.m.

Parenting can be incredibly rewarding, but it also brings stressful moments—especially when children test limits or have big emotions. Learn how to manage frustration, stay calm in challenging situations, and respond in ways that support both you and your child.

Eat, Learn , Grow - Social Emotional 

Wednesday, May 27, 7 p.m.

Explore social emotional development, developmental milestones and the skills children need to manage emotions and build relationships. Explore children’s literature and extension activities that promote problem solving, conflict resolution, managing stress, and overall social emotional development at home.

Highlights from the 2026 Children's Discovery Fair

Lots of little learners made big discoveries at the 2026 Children's Discovery Fair held April 11 at the East Columbia 50+ Center. The 22nd annual event had great attendance, with lots of hands-on activities to engage families and community partners to share resources.

NAMI Basics OnDemand

Parents, caregivers and other family members who support youth living with a mental health condition experience unique challenges while navigating mental healthcare systems. NAMI Basics is an education program for parents, caregivers and other family members who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms. This program is offered at no cost to participants. NAMI Basics OnDemand will offer a free education series on Tuesdays, May 19 - June 23, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. for parents and caregivers of a child/teen experiencing symptoms of a mental illness. The class is also available for free 24/7 on demand. Enroll in NAMI Basics on Demand. 

Building a Strong Foundation for Kids’ Emotional Safety

Part 1: Thursday, May 14, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Part 2: Tuesday, May 19, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Learn simple, caring ways to help children feel safe and calm in a two-part series offered by the Parents Place of Maryland (PPMD). Explore practical techniques such as breathing exercises, grounding activities, supportive routines and more to help children share their feelings and build confidence. Serving as Maryland’s Parent Training and Information Center and Family-to-Family Health Information Center, PPMD provides free resources, support and information to parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. 

Howard County MHCAC: Supporting Wellness in our Community

The Howard County Mental Health Community Advisory Council (MHCAC) shares updates, resources and ongoing efforts to support the well-being of our community. Through collaboration with partners and residents, they are committed to improving access to care, reducing stigma and strengthening mental health supports for all. View the spring issue of the MHCAC newsletter to learn more.

Promoting Positive Self-Care in Children

Parents and children alike can benefit from self-care. Establishing healthy self-care activities for kids doesn’t have to be complicated — it can be a lot of fun. By teaching children self-care practices, you help them become more resilient, develop self-regulation skills and manage their stress effectively. Learn 11 Simple Self-Care Habits for Kids from PBS KIDS for Parents.

The Best Kids’ Books About Mental Health

Stories that explore mental health are becoming more common but finding ones that are both accurate and truly helpful can be challenging. The Child Mind Institute has created a list of expert-reviewed books on a variety of topics, with options for every age—from toddlers to teens—making it easier for families to find supportive stories to share together.

Discussing Your Child’s Mental Health with Your Primary Care Provider

Mental health, also known as emotional or behavioral health, is a vital part of your child’s medical health and development. If you recognize signs that your child is struggling, know you can turn to your primary care provider for support, just as you would with a physical health issue.

Effective Listening Tuesday

May 12, 7 - 8 p.m. Free virtual workshop 

Learning to listen effectively can boost our relationships with our children, partners and co-parents and strengthen these relationships over time. Join us to explore what true listening looks and feels like and better understand this often-misunderstood tool.

Guide to Managing Behavior Problems from the Child Mind Institute

Children with disabilities often expend a great deal of energy just to get through the school day. When challenging behaviors arise, they may signal stress or unmet needs. Factors like belonging, positive reinforcement, sleep, and nutrition all play a role in how children feel and respond. When we view behavior as communication, we can better understand what children are trying to express and support them to build skills they need.