Parent's Guide to Howard County [2016]

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Letter from the Administrator
Dear Families,
On behalf of the Howard County Office of Children’s Services, I am pleased to present the 2016 Parent’s Guide to
Howard County. This comprehensive resource is your guide to the many local services and programs available to
you. In addition to this annual publication, the Office is your connection to a wide array of resources to families
of children and youth of all ages.
Parent Pages, our quarterly newsletter, includes useful tips and informative articles on a variety of topics that
families face today. Have a question about child care? Or weathering those “tween” and teen years? Our CARE
line (410-313-CARE) is available to answer your questions, provide referrals and share information about local
resources. Through the Family Institute, we offer workshops for parents, guardians and grandparents on a wide
range of topics including discipline, brain development, healthy eating, technology and more.
Howard County’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) program is located within the Office of Children’s Services. Offering
in-home support for parents of children up to age 5, the PAT program promotes school readiness and health
through hands-on activities based on your child’s developmental stages. Group meetings are also available to
build connections to other parents and the community.
And each year, we honor those people that have made a difference in the life of a child through Celebrating
Successes. Our “Excellence in Bloom” awards ceremony recognizes teachers, child care providers, coaches,
youth and others that have made an impact on children of all ages. Please consider nominating a family friendly
business or someone that has had a positive impact on your child.
If you would like more information about the Office or the programs mentioned, there are a number of ways to
reach us. Visit our website at email us at .
Or call us at 410-313-1940 (voice/relay).
We look forward to hearing from you!
Keri Hyde, Administrator
Howard County Office of Children’s Services
Welcome to HOWARD COUNTY
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