January 2020



A publication of the Howard County Office of Children and Families
Family Institute
January means New Year's Resolutions and this issue is filled with information on where to learn more to support the topics that you are interested in as a parent.
When you know more, you can do better!
Visit the Family Institute web page to see the workshop calendar for families.

Behavior Basics and Managing Meltdowns Do tantrums, power struggles and misbehavior make daily life difficult in your household? Leave this two part workshop with skills and resources that you can use immediately that will help you feel more confident in parenting your one to six year old. Saturdays; February 1 & 8 . Register here .
Host a workshop at your school or organization. Contact us today.
 Child Care and Preschool Information Fair is designed to provide parents one location to learn about Howard County programs. Parents as Teachers offers information sessions to help parents before they start their journey. Attend the 12:30, 1:30 or 2:30 session to learn what to look for in a quality child care program . Registration not required, but encouraged, click .
Additional information about early care and education:

Selecting a Child Care Program from Childcare Aware

Five Elements of a Good Preschool article/video from the Hechinger Report

LOCATE Child Care A service to help find a licensed child care or preschool in Maryland.

Are you working, in school or participating in an approved training program? Then you may be eligible for the Child Care Scholarship Program (CCS) (formerly child care subsidy). The program provides financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families in Maryland. 
To find out if you’re eligible contact:
CARE Line at 410-313-2273 or
CCS Central 1-866-243-8796

(Click on chart to the right to download a printable flier)
Howard County Dads
is on a mission to connect and empower dads in order to promote fatherhood involvement in and around Howard County. From dad-only meetups to family-friendly playgroups, our nonprofit advocacy group is improving the well-being of families by promoting proactive fathers in the community. Learn more and subscribe to the newsletter at HowardCountyDads.com
Upcoming Events:
Library Playgroup : Jan 11, 2:30 p.m. Elkridge Library
Play, read, hangout with your kid (all ages).
Poker Night: Jan 18. P lay cards or just kick it to decompress with dads.
Details may change, see updates at howardcountydads.com/events
Thank you for putting these (Parent Pages) together. Throughout, they've been helpful in engaging our families in deeper discussions about parenting strategies and struggles.
Josh Benson, Howard County Dads Inc.
Gratitude is Good for the Brain!
Five benefits associated with gratitude are: reduced pain levels, reduced anxiety and depression, better sleep, increased energy, and increased stress relief. To learn more, read articles:

The Health Benefits of Gratitude: 6 Scientifically Proven Ways Being Grateful Rewires Your Brain + Body for Health from Conscious Life .

Boost Your Health With a Dose of Gratitude from WebMD Women's Health

Interested in involving the family in a gratitude tradition? Make a gratitude jar . Each week, write a note with something you are grateful for and place it in the jar. Review at the end of 2020 to see what all you have been thankful for and one of the things just might be better health!









Getting Family Support for Your Child
Family members aren't always helpful when you have struggles with your child . "She’ll grow out of it. There’s nothing wrong with him that a little more discipline won’t solve ." Learn ways to get the important adults in your child’s life to be members of the“treatment team.” Even skeptical family members can be supportive when given a positive role to play.
Child Mind Institute Articles

How to keep your differences from hurting your kids.

Caring for children with intense needs can take an emotional (and physical) toll on parents.

Kids do better when the adults in their lives are all on board with treatment.

Tips for helping them become effective allies in treatment.
Road to Kindergarten
Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2020? Join the Howard County Public School System for an information session about kindergarten . At this workshop you will learn:
  • Expectations for school readiness (and receive a Ready for Kindergarten toolkit).
  • Details about the kindergarten program.
  • Information about HCPSS kindergarten registration.
  • Ways that families and children can be supported during the transition to kindergarten.
Sessions are designed for adults only. Child care is available for children ages two and older. Doors open at 6 p.m. to allow time for parking, child care drop off and check-in. Sessions begin promptly at 6:30. Large crowds anticipated, so allow yourself ample time. Choose a date that is convenient for you. No registration required. All sessions will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. If Howard County public schools are closed for inclement weather, that day’s session is canceled. (Snow Date: February 2 at Centennial)
Wednesday, January 22: Hammond High School, 8800 Guilford Rd., Columbia
Thursday, January 23: Oakland Mills High School, 9410 Kilimanjaro Rd., Columbia
Thursday, January 30: Centennial High School, 4300 Centennial Ln., Ellicott City
Social Media Parent Workshop
Learn about social media and your child. Child care and interpretation available at Oakland Mills Middle School.
January 25, 2019 | 9:00 - 11:15 a.m.
This Community Academy event is sponsored by The Council of Elders
2020 Family Leadership Institute
Family Leadership Institute Intensive is a six-weekend training for parents and caregivers of school-age children with mental health challenges. Parents will b uild knowledge of children’s mental health and learn how to access supports, learn how to work more collaboratively with school on behalf of your child and make strong connections with other parents and caregivers facing similar challenges. It's FREE and includes meals and lodging. To learn more, visit Maryland Coalition of Families .

Learn healthy tips from Nutrition Action such as eating like a flexitarian, a dding veggies to boost potassium and strategies to say no to junk food. Click here .
Click on the Source to see about upcoming programs such as:

Programs for the under five crowd: Play Partners, Picture Books Parade, 3,2 Fun, Just for Me, Time for Us, Sensory Friendly Play and Learn, All Together Now, and Pajama Time schedules.

Healthy Me (Ages 3 - 5) Learn healthy habits while having fun. Jan. 7, 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Central Branch

College Savings Plans - Explore savings strategies on how to save for college. Jan. 30, 7:00 p.m., Miller Branch

Click here for more HCLS program information.
SPECIAL NEEDS SUMMER CAMP FAIR
FREE. Tuesday, January 28, 2020 6:30-8:30 p.m., (S now date, February 4)
Cedar Lane School, 11630 Scaggsville Road, Fulton, 20759
Parents, make informed decisions about which camp is "the perfect fit" for your child with a disability. Choose from dozens of camps with a focus on the arts, nature, science, sports, and much more! Both day and residential camps will be represented. This is appropriate for families of children with a variety of disabilities. For more information, email  info@howard-autism.org  or call 410-290-3466.

Expert Q&A, ADDitude webinar
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
1:00 - 2 p.m .
Register and receive replay link to access webinar at other times.
Strong friendships are a vital support for a child’s overall happiness and resilience. Both ADHD and autism affect peer relationships – and many children have symptoms of both. How can parents best support social skills growth and success?

In this webinar, parents will learn:
  • How ADHD and autism impact social emotional development
  • Which clinical interventions best support social emotional abilities
  • How to decide between the various interventions available for children with ADHD and autism
  • How to support social emotional skills at home

Preservation Circle
Saturday, January 11. 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
9770 Patuxent Woods Dr. Suite 100, Columbia, 21046
FREE. Pre-registration required, click
               
Join an interactive exploration of internal discovery. Who are we when we are not serving a role; spouse, worker, parent, sibling, child? What do we know about ourselves separate from these roles? What are your special and unique gifts? We will share, use symbolism and art in a quest of self-awareness.

About HopeWorks' Preservation Circle : Survivors who are out of crisis are invited to join for Preservation Circle events. Through engaging and creative activities survivors of sexual (including adult survivors of child sexual abuse) and intimate partner violence meet to cultivate continued courage, self-compassion, connection, wellness and self-directed advocacy. More information, contact Vanita Leatherwood , or call (410) 997-0304. Flier

Recognizing Human Trafficking
Hosted by the Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center
1525 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104
$10. Thursday, January 23, 2020. 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

This workshop defines modern-day human trafficking with an overview of trafficking in Maryland and Howard County. Participants will learn how to identify potential trafficking sites and victims as well as risk factors that increase vulnerability. Additionally, participants will make connections between forced sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence. Time for questions and a light reception will follow the presentation. A portion of proceeds go to Hopeworks.
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