April

Child Development and Developmental Delays Virtual  

Thurs. April 4 / 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM $5

S. Burke

3 CD 1 SN

Participants will be presented with information on how to distinguish the difference between typical and atypical child development. They will leave with information on how to implement accommodations and modifications to better work with children with developmental delays and resources to utilize when development is atypical. Additionally, participants will learn strategies for working with children exhibiting typical development in order to further strengthen their development. 

SIDS, SUID and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths Virtual

Mon. April 8 / 6:30 – 8:30pm $5

A. Sullivan

2 HSN

This session meets the training requirement for the MSDE regulations regarding SIDS, and other sleep-related infant mortality in child care. Participants will receive ideas and resources to support breastfeeding and preventing or decreasing SIDS-related infant mortality.

Basic Health & Safety Training with Supporting Breastfeeding in Child Care Virtual 

Mon. April 15 / 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM / $5

R. Gordon

3 HSN

This training provides information about health and safety topics for all childcare providers to meet the requirement of the licensing regulation. Key topics include: establishing and maintaining safe and healthy environments, teaching safe practices to prevent and reduce injuries, identification and reporting of abuse or neglect and proper sanitation practices and procedures. Completion of this training does not meet requirements for specified training in Medication Administration, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, CPR or First Aid.

Creating Culturally Rich Environments with Loose Parts In person  

Wed. April 17  / 6:30 – 9:30 PM / $5 

S. Gold Raynes

3 COM

Young children are naturally curious about the people and places in their world, beginning with their family and local community. Creating an environment filled with loose parts that encourages exploration of their local culture and its people is an important component of early education. 

Including All Children and the ADA Virtual

Mon. April 22 6:30 – 9:30pm / $5

R.Gordon

3 SN

Workshop will cover information, strategies and resources on how to develop and implement an early childhood environment that is inclusive to all children and their families. The fundamental principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act will be covered using best practices standards to create policies and procedures that reflect the ADA and strategies for inclusion. This will meet the licensing requirement for the Including All Children and the ADA Training. may earn 1 Professional Activity Unit (PAU). All PAU letters will be emailed within 10 business days. A participant who attends a chat session can receive only 1 PAU within the same calendar year.

Outdoor Environment Design for Infants & Toddlers In Person

Wed. April 24 / 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM / $5

S. Gold Raynes

2 CUR 1 CD

Infants & Toddlers are natural investigators. Fueled by their curiosity, they use their senses to learn about the world. Oftentimes the outdoor environment is overlooked as an environment that can stimulate curiosity and learning in infants & toddlers. This workshop focuses on how to curate an outdoor learning environment for infants and toddlers to grow and learn based on their developmental needs and abilities.

Supporting Young English Learners Virtual

Wed. April 24 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM / $5

S.Burke

1 CD 1 CUR 1 COM

The best time for a child to learn a new language is in the early years of life. While children learn language naturally, there are specific strategies that should be employed to help the child learn English in the preschool classroom. This session gives educators the skills needed to help support the young English language learners in their care.

Jumping Into Social-Emotional Development Virtual

Mon. April 29 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM / $5

A. Sullivan

2 CUR

Children’s social and emotional health affects their overall development and learning. Participants will explore the importance of developing social-emotional skills in young children and how they can support those skills with simple materials. Participants will experience using the social-emotional materials and will create materials to utilize in their own program.

MSDE has updated the CPR and First Aid Trainers. Please click HERE for more information.

As Maryland attempts to estimate the true cost of child care, make your voice heard by taking the Maryland Market Rate and Cost of Care Survey. This is your opportunity to provide information on what it truly costs to provide quality child care – not just what families can afford.

The survey is available in English and Spanish. Learn more about the process at view a copy of the questions (coming soon) at www.prenatal5fiscal.org/maryland.

The Howard County Child Care Resource Center will be hosting “Office Hours”, Thursday April 4, 2024, between 6:30 – 8:00 at The Kiwanis Walls Rec Center, 3300 Norberts Way, Ellicott City, MD 21042,          

to offer assistance with the survey. 

Participants will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a bundle of customized classroom materials or an Amazon gift card!

Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies is conducting this study and all data will be kept confidential and not attributed to any one person or program. 

Need help applying for the MD Child Care Credential or guidance on increasing your qualifications beyond the requirements of state licensing and registration regulations? The CCRC will offer weekly Virtual Office hours between 1:30 – 2:30 starting in April. Meet one on one with our Early Childhood Program Specialist; they will walk you through the process from start to finish; offer support with gathering training certificates, PAU’s and completing the application. Virtual Office Hours are open to all Center Based and Family Child Care programs, including those new to the MD Credential. Each session will have a specific focus, however, call in with any questions.

All sessions will be held between 1:30 – 2:30.



April Dates

Tuesday April 9th

Tuesday April 23rd

On-site Credential Office Hours available. Our Early Childhood Program Specialist will come to your program between 1:00 – 3:00 pm and assist your staff with the application process, review certificate and training hours as well as answer any questions about the Maryland Child Care Credential Program. Contact the Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) Early Childhood Program Specialist Marissa Hill, mhill@howardcountymd.gov

The Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center and Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Support Services Program (Care Center) is excited to offer a new, exciting opportunity for early childhood educators and programs. You are invited to partner with us to address the social and emotional needs of young children through imbedded coaching and consultation. 

Engagement with our teams will focus on building capacity through programmatic/ environmental coaching as well as enhancing educator knowledge and skills to address the social and emotional needs of children in their classroom. 

You will work with our Early Childhood Program Specialists and our Behavior Consultants and be provided the opportunity to 

• Set the stage to decrease negative behaviors in the classroom
• Develop innovative strategies to manage challenging behaviors
• Teach children new skills to replace challenging behaviors
• Peer support in discussing/addressing difficult behaviors
• Free professional development

This free program will offer one-on-one certified coaching, access to free resources and materials, and hands-on strategies to equip early care educators with tools and techniques to effectively navigate the developing emotions of young children in their care. Programs will be



Participating programs and providers MUST participate in the Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program.

Click here to access the application

All children have the capacity to learn, however their environment and classroom setting must be conducive to their learning style. For children with atypical development, the classroom environment can become a hindrance for learning and an arena for challenging behaviors. During this PDI, we will explore how children with Autism can learn and thrive in their early childhood settings. Strategies to support children with diverse needs, as well as strategies to create inclusive learning settings for all children will be explored. Educators will come away with simple definitions of the characteristics of autism, tools to engage and interact with children with autism in a meaningful way and how to differentiate between challenging behaviors and behaviors that arise out of frustration from a non-supportive classroom setting.

You will hear from experts in the field of Autism, and from early childhood educators as they share firsthand, real classroom experiences and strategies to support children with Autism, and how to best minimize challenging behaviors. Providers will be introduced to the local support and services offered by the Autism Society of Maryland in Howard County. New initiatives, longtime programs, and activities to increase acceptance, inclusion, and understanding of Autism will be shared.

Saturday May 11, 2024

8:00am - 2:00pm

Harriet Tubman Cultural Center

8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD 21044

Cost: $50 

MSDE Approval Number: CWO-162395

COK Hours: 4 Special Needs

***DEADLINE to Register is April 26th***

Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign 2024

Howard County Office of Children and Families is excited to announce the return of our popular Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign. The annual campaign is sponsored by Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD), with support from the Maryland Department of Health—Behavioral Health Administration, Maryland Family Network, as well as other partners. The campaign aims to spread awareness about issues surrounding children’s mental health.

All Howard County childcare centers, preschools, and family childcare educators are encouraged to participate. Participants will receive a bag filled with books, lesson plans, activities, educator resources, and family resources. The theme this year is Attunement. Participants can also receive 1 Professional Activity Unit (PAU) for actively participating in this campaign. Participants will receive more details about the PAU once they have registered. If interested in participating in Howard County’s Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign 2024, please contact Lisa Hendricks at lhendricks@howardcountymd.gov

For information about the state-wide campaign visit https://www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org/

Welcome new children and families to your programs with all the programmatic supports you need! Enhance educator skills around transitions, daily routines/schedules, welcoming new children to the program, and child/teacher social emotional interactions. Prevent challenging behaviors before they start! Coaching and mentoring around program enhancements such as room arrangement, lesson planning, curriculum implementation, and overall classroom management also available. Contact the Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) Early Childhood Program Specialist, Marissa Hill, mhill@howardcountymd.gov

Don’t wait until challenging behaviors become unmanageable! 

To better serve the educator community and offer more comprehensive support services for early childhood educators and children, the CCRC has increased is capacity with the addition of the IECMH Program team. The expanded team includes behavior consultants who work directly with teachers and individual children to support programs in managing and reducing challenging behavior, as well as supporting children’s social emotional development. The behavior consultants offer, developmental and classroom screenings; onsite behavior observations; goal setting and practice-based coaching, and resource and referral information. The Behavioral Consultant team works collaboratively with the Early Childhood Program Specialists to offer comprehensive services. For more information, please contact the Care Line, 410-313-CARE.

MD EXCELS, Maryland Child Care Credential and Maryland Accreditation individualized support services available. Work with the CCRC to enhance and improve program quality and increase educator professional qualifications. Contact the Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), 410-313-1940 or email Marissa Hill, mhill@howardcountymd.gov

The updated Resource Room features a Lending Library to enhance your reading centers, lesson plan ideas and materials, new die cuts, laminating services, and a computer lab (internet access and printing available). Children’s books are organized by theme (5 to 6 books per theme) and can be checked out for a 2-week period. No appointment necessary.  View the list of books here

Looking for Training? Search the Maryland Child Care Training Calendar. Lists of trainers, training organizations and online training organizations.

For new and approved, expanded workshop offerings that meet Maryland child care requirements, coaching and support on all aspects of owning and operating a child care in Maryland, visit -www.prosolutionstraining.com/md(English portal) and https://www.prosolutionstraining.com/md-espanol (Spanish portal).  Courses are available through the MCCRN, a program of Maryland Family Network. Do note, any previous eLearning content purchased through Smart Horizons will still be accessible; training must be completed by June 30, 2022.  Please contact Maryland Family Network with any questions, MCCRNinfo@marylandfamilynetwork.org.

For additional Early Childhood Education and Provider news, and updates in and around the State of Maryland, checkout Tuesday Tidbits

Please click HERE to register for the Basic Health and Safety Update

Greetings,

Do you live, work, or own a business in any of the following communities?

Owen Brown

Deep Run

Sherwood crossing

Gateway Overlook

Lark Brown Crossing

Sanctuary Court Paragon at Columbia Overlook

Do you have children in your household who are childcare now or need childcare? 

Do you have children in your household that are under the age of 12? 

If any of the above describes you, we would like you to consider how childcare services can be improved for you and your community. Your voice, your opinion, and your suggestions are valuable to us. Howard County the Office of Children and Families, the Department of Community Resources and Services, Office of the Local Children’s Board, and RnD Associates are working together to identify what community members like you consider to be childcare challenges or needs. You can help in one of two ways:

1)       You can complete a short and important survey by scanning the QR code or clicking on the link here. Please note that the information you provide will be confidential and your contact information will not be shared at all. You will receive a $10 gift card via email for completing the survey. 

2)       Attend a meeting and share your concerns and suggestions. Click here and indicate your name, email address and phone number. You will receive giveaways and a chance to win raffle items. 

Thank you and we look forward to a partnership with you!

We are excited to invite individuals with a passion for early childhood development to join us as volunteers for our upcoming workshops. These workshops are designed for parents, some of whom will be accompanied by their children. We are specifically seeking child care providers. Providers will earn a PAU for their participation.

Click Here to Sign up

The Family Support Center (FSC) offers comprehensive, family centered, community-based preventive programs for parents, caregivers, and their children ages birth to five. Parenting little ones is hard, the FSC is here to help! Visit https://www.howardcountymd.gov/children-families/family-support-center for more information.

Howard County families can get one/one assistance with the Child Care Scholarship program application process by calling the Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), 410-313-1940 or emailing Amber Eash, the Family Resource Specialist directly, aeash@howardcountymd.gov or Carla Lunn, Resource and Referral Specialist, clunn@howardcountymd.gov.

Workshops and Newsletter for Families

The Office of Children and Families offers Family Workshops on topics ranging from challenging behaviors, potty training, Kindergarten readiness, lifelong skills and more. All this information can be found in our monthly newsletter, the Parent Pages.

Share upcoming family workshop information with families as well as encourage them to sign up for our monthly Parent Pages newsletter. 

Kindergarten Readiness Newsletter

Children that are five by September 1 will be starting kindergarten this fall. The Transition to Kindergarten Committee has put together monthly Kindergarten Readiness Newsletters for tips on how to help children be ready for their first day!

Please share this event with your families

April 13 / 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

East Columbia 50+ Center Register here: https://bit.ly/HoCo_DiscoveryFair

Explore math all around us while engaging in FREE hands-on learning activities, interactive games, crafts, stories, and free dental screenings at the 2024 Children's Discovery Fair.

Join us to celebrate the Month of the Young Child and help your child on the path to kindergarten readiness. For families with children ages three to five. View the event fliers below in English, Spanish, Chinese or Korean.

For more information, call 410-313-1940, email children@howardcountymd.gov, or

visit www.facebook.com/HoCo.road.to.kindergarten.

Click Here for the Discovery Fair Flier in English

Click Here for the Discovery Fair Flier in Spanish

Click Here for the Discovery Fair Flier in Korean

Click Here for the Discovery Fair Flier in Chinese

Click her for the Discovery Fair Math Calendar