9830 Patuxent Woods Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
United States
About
We help young children reach their full potential by supporting families, training child care workers, giving expert advice, working with others, and using programs that really work.

Our Services
Newsletters & Publications
The Parent Pages
The Parent Pages newsletter is published by the Howard County Office of Children and Families for parents, caregivers, and agencies working with families. Each monthly issue features information to help parents and caregivers learn to promote positive parenting for children’s development. It highlights workshops, local resources, events, parenting information, and agency programs targeted to help families grow and thrive in Howard County. This newsletter is a part of the Howard County Family Institute, an education, information and community outreach program.
E-Blast and Training Calendar
The E-Blast and Training Calendar is a publication by the Howard County Office of Children and Families for family and center based child care providers and early childhood educators. Each issue features information to help teachers, administrators and caregivers stay up to date on high quality early learning standards. It highlights workshops, local resources, events, support groups, and agency programs targeted to help children grow and thrive in Howard County.
Subscribe to The E-Blast and Training Calendar to receive each current newsletter and other updates from the Office of Children and Families.
If you need this publication in an alternate format, please call 410-313-1940 (voice/relay.)
2025 Parents Guide
The Office of Children and Families Parents Guide is an annual publication that directs parents to a wealth of child care resources available within Howard County.
Newsletter Sign-Up
Get email updates on workshops for parents and child care providers, special events and support services from the Office on Children and Families.
Early Childhood Advisory Council
The Howard County Early Childhood Advisory Council (HCECAC) supports the care, education and health of our youngest learners. HCECAC was formed in 2012 under the auspices of the Maryland Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) Grant and is one of 24 Early Childhood Advisory Councils throughout Maryland. The Council’s mission is to ensure that all Howard County children come to school healthy and ready to succeed.