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A publication of the Howard County Office of Children and Families
Family Institute
October 2022
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Visit the Family Institute web page to view full descriptions of all workshops and register to attend!
Friendship Skills for School and Life Success
Social skills are at the top of the list of important skills for school success yet making friends can be hard sometimes. For kids who struggle with social skills deficits, attention to skill building is vital. Become aware of tools and resources to help your child and learn how to help them practice friendship skills, navigate peer pressure and build self-esteem. This is targeted for parents of children from pre-school through elementary school.
Thursday, October 13, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop. Register here
Navigating Your Child’s Mental Health Journey
Presenters from the Howard County Local Children’s Board and Howard County Health Department will discuss the stages of mental health, available local resources and supports that will help guide your understanding, provide you with choices, and help you learn the steps to helping your child. Leave with tangible tools for education and interventions.
Thursday, October 20 , 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop. Register here
Parenting with Empathy
Empathy is the ability to recognize and understand the feelings of others. Join us in this virtual workshop as we explore empathy and discuss ways you can spark empathy in your child through everyday interactions. This is geared for parents and caregivers of children birth to five.
Tuesday, October 25, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop. Register here
Nothing I Do Works: A Parent’s Guide to Challenging Behaviors
Learn how to help decrease negative behaviors from happening and/ or what to do when they occur. Ask questions and leave with skills and resources that you can use immediately to help you feel more confident in your parenting. For children ages two to eight.
Tuesday November 1, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop. Register here
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Youth Mental Health First Aid
Learn to assist a young person age 12 to 18 years, who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Includes an online course before attending an instructor-led session.
Tuesday, October 4, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Virtual
Free to community members/$25 for businesses
Mom’s Support Group
Share experiences with other new moms and their babies up to five months old. This eight-week support group includes support, referrals, guest speakers, discussion of parenting topics, and an opportunity to meet and connect with other new mothers.
Tuesdays, October 18 thru December 6, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Free, Virtual
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Learn to Count, Group and Compare
Not many of us consider ourselves math people, yet we are born into this world already wired to learn mathematical concepts. What children learn in the first few years of life can impact later school achievement. As counting is the basis of everyday activities, parents can help their child make sense of numbers and categories around them by making connections and building the foundation for later math development. A few ways to encourage your child's love for learning math include:
- Talking about shapes you view around you during a walk
- Connect numbers to groups of things such as counting pairs of socks during laundry
- Bring notice to measurements when cooking or preparing a meal
- Stack blocks together comparing the different sizes and colors
Remember: Repetition and showing interest in learning math concepts will produce positive outcomes for you, your child, and their math development. To learn more about engaging your child on this topic, watch the video here.
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To learn more about exploring through movement and play with your children and the other pillars of The Basics movement, click here. The Basics is a program for children from birth to 5 years. To receive information specifically for your child’s developmental stage, sign up for Basics Insights FREE text messages here. Available in English or Spanish.
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North Laurel Community Center Fall Festival
Saturday, October 15, Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Join Recreation & Parks for an outdoor, family fun event featuring music, games, entertainment, food trucks, and more. Tickets are $2 per person ages 4 and up (children under 4 are free). While preregistration is not required, it is encouraged. Onsite registration will also be available. To purchase tickets or to learn more, visit North Laurel Community Center Fall Festival.
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Central Branch Library, Mondays, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Stories, songs, and activities for children and adults to enjoy together. Ticket available 15 minutes before class.
Elkridge Branch, Wednesdays, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Develop early learning skills through stories, songs, fingerplays, and rhymes.
Miller Branch Children's Classroom, Saturday, October 22, 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Stories, baby games, and musical activities. Tickets available 15 minutes before class.
Savage Branch, Fridays, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Tales, tunes, and tons of fun! Ticket required; available 15 minutes before class.
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Free, on demand, self-directed education
Howard County Library System’s eBooks for kids combine educational games, videos, and interactive books on engaging experiences for children from pre-K through high school.
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Maryland's Child Passenger Safety Law
Effective October 1, 2022 children under eight years old are required to ride in an appropriate child safety seat according to the vehicle and child restraint instructions, unless the child is 4'9” or taller. Children must ride rear-facing until at least age two. For more information click here
If you are in need of a car seat, contact KISS at 800-370-SEAT (7328) for a referral to a local Car Seat Assistance Program, a low-cost program for families who financially qualify. For more information on car seats
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Register for an in-person car seat check. Dates and locations vary.
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Register for a Video Car Seat Assistance Program appointment to learn how to use and install your car seat(s) via a Zoom appointment.
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Click to view “Live” Child Passenger Safety webinars and registration links.
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Parent Empowerment Conference
The HCPSS Department of Special Education is hosting the 4th Annual Parent Empowerment Conference. There will be two sessions with four workshops to choose from at each session. The conference will benefit both seasoned parents and those new to special education and will help you to advocate for your child and be active, informed members of the IEP/IFSP team. Parents and guardians will leave workshops with tools to support success and reduce stress.
Monday, October 10, Session One 6:30-7:30 p.m., Session Two 7:45-8:45 p.m.
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October is Fire Prevention Month
Fire Safety Awareness week is October 9 to 15. To help ensure your home and family are protected, view tips for whole home safety:
1. Install Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms in your home
2. Be Prepared with Fire Extinguishers
3. Plan & Practice Your Emergency Safety Route with Your Family
4. Test & Maintain Your Alarm Systems
5. Replace Your Alarms After 10 Years
To view these and other safety tips from First Alert, click here.
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Helping Siblings to Get Along
Resources from Child Mind Institute
Teaching Kids How to Deal With Conflict
Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling
How to Help Siblings Get Along
Teaching Kids About Boundaries
5 Ways to Support Siblings in Special Needs Families
Making sure that the other kids get what they need, too. English/ Spanish
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Walktober 2022
Join the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC) and local partners for a month of walk/move events called Walktober 2022, a celebration of our State’s official exercise and a call to action to promote walking for improved health for residents of all ages and abilities. Find more information about the HCLHIC here.
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Trualta© e-Learning Portal for Caregivers: register Online
Thousands of family caregivers across North America are using Trualta©, a personalized, skills-based training platform for family members caring for aging family members at home. Howard County's Caregiver Support Program offers free access to the Trualta e-learning portal to help family caregivers reduce stress, find local resources, and provide better care for their loved ones. Once you enroll, you will have access to Trualta's vast resources any time of day, and you can choose the topics and articles that interest you. To enroll, register online or contact Kathy Wehr for more information at 410-313-5955 (voice/relay).
Save the date! During National Family Caregivers Month in November, OAI's Caregiver Support Program will offer three virtual program nights on topics which support caregivers across the lifespan, including having a back-up plan; resilience; hoarding; family dynamics; caregiver support; financial planning & advanced directives; and self-care. Virtual sessions will be offered via Webex on Tuesdays, November 1, 8 and 15 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Contact Kathy Wehr for more information or to register at
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Rainbow Theater –
Lively Entertainment for Young Audiences
Preschoolers and their families can sing, dance, and be amazed at the enriching shows at Slayton House's Rainbow Theater. Visit here for upcoming shows brought to you by Wilde Lake Community Association. Thursdays, $5. Visit for more event informtaion at Slayton House.
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Trafficked in America
Open House and Film Screening
Thursday, October 13, 5:30 p.m.
Free. Register for Film screening here
Howard County Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, its Coordination Council and other key, community-focused organizations will host an Open House to highlight the work being done to combat human trafficking in Howard County. The Open House will be followed by a free screening of the documentary, "Trafficked in America." No RSVP needed for the open house.
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Drive-thru Medication and Sharps Collection
Saturday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wilde Lake Village Center/ Sponsored by HC DrugFree
Bring prescription and over-the-counter medication (pet meds too!) as well as needles, syringes, EpiPens, vitamins, patches, inhalers, vaping devices (with batteries removed), and much more. When in doubt, bring it.
Medication Combination Lockbox 100 medication lockboxes (a $42 Value) to be given away. Join early to claim yours. Limit 1 per vehicle.
For more information about HC DrugFree programs, visit here.
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