About
The Family Support Center (FSC) offers comprehensive, family centered, community-based preventive programs for parents, caregivers and their children ages birth to five. Through its services the FSC promotes the full development and wellbeing of children, enhances the quality of parent and child interactions, and is the link to services for overall parent and family self-sufficiency and sustainability. Program highlights include child development, parent education, and health education, as well as resources and referrals.
Featured Programming at the Family Support Center
My Gym Fitness Classes
My Gym has created an extraordinary fitness program devised to help children develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. Our structured, age-appropriate classes incorporate fitness, music, dance, puppets, relays, games, gymnastics, sports and other original activities. The children have fun as they exercise and gain strength, balance, coordination, agility, flexibility and social skills. The most important benefit we offer, however, is the building of confidence and self-esteem. A child who feels good about him/herself has a jumpstart on the path to becoming a healthy, well-adjusted young adult.
4 Month – 3.5 Year old Class Monday, March 3, 2 – 2:45 p.m.
Pre-K Class 3.5 – 5 Year Olds Monday, March 17, 2 -2:45pm
Paint Party
Get ready for a colorful adventure at our Paint Party! Children will explore their creativity while practicing fine motor skills, painting a variety of fun objects. It’s a great way to let little artists express themselves and show off their masterpieces!
Wednesday, March 5, 10 – 11am
Family Goal Setting Lunch
This event for FSC plus enrolled families is a great opportunity for families to come to the Family Support Center and plan their goals for 2025! Enjoy lunch and conversation while talking with our Family Service Coordinator about measurable goals for the new year.
Lunch and childcare will be provided
Wednesday March 5th 12 – 1pm
Tot’s Creative Corner
Join us for an engaging weekly series for children ages 18–36 months! Each session includes a fun song, craft, and sensory activity to promote your child’s development. Parents and toddlers will bond while exploring creative activities that boost motor skills, language, and imagination in a joyful and interactive setting!
Thursdays March 6– 27, 10 – 11am.
Healthy Little Cooks
Engage your 2-4-year-olds in interactive healthy cooking and nutrition education class facilitated by Healthy Little Cooks! Tailored for a parent and child, these sessions focus on promoting healthy eating habits through cooking, reading, movement, and kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) skills. Each class typically includes 1-2 quick recipes alongside fun activities like crafts, physical activities, or coloring pages. This program offers a holistic healthy learning environment for families. Sessions last 45 minutes, with flexibility for parent discussions
Monday March 10th “Healthy Lunches Made Fun for National Pack Your Lunch Day” 10:30 – 11:30am
Monday March 24th “Healthy Nachos, Nachos, Nachos!” 10:30 – 11:30am
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Get ready for a fun-filled, festive morning as we celebrate the luck of the Irish! This workshop is filled with exciting activities for kids to enjoy, including hands-on crafts, lively songs, and engaging games that bring the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day to life.
Monday March 17th 10:30 – 11:30am
Foundational Reading Series
Foundational Reading Workshops provide parents with strategies for early literacy development. Parents learn practical strategies to support print concepts, phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, word recognition, and fluency.
Tuesdays March 11th – 25, 10 – 11:30am
Una guía para padres sobre comportamientos desafiantes (Spanish Challenging Behaviors)
Aprenda cómo ayudar a disminuir la ocurrencia de comportamientos negativos y/o qué hacer cuando ocurren. Asista a esta sesión, haga preguntas y salga con habilidades y recursos que puede utilizar de inmediato para sentirse más seguro en su crianza. Para padres de niños de dos a ocho años. Para padres, abuelos y personas involucradas con niños de 2 a 8 años Regístrate aquí
Miercoles, 12 de Marzo, 10:30- 11:30 am
Field Trip to West Friendship Fire Station
We are going on a field trip! Meet us at the West Friendship Fire Station to meet with local firefighters, learn fire safety, and get a tour of the fire truck!
Wednesday March 19th 10:30am – 12:00pm
Family Literacy Night
Celebrate National Reading Month with us at the Family Support Center! Kids are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas and enjoy a cozy evening of storytelling. Explore a variety of early literacy centers, enjoy a delicious dinner, and each child will leave with a brand new book to add to their collection. It’s a fun, educational night for the whole family!
Tuesday March 25, 5:30 – 6:30pm
Drop in Play Groups
Children and their families are invited to explore and play at our Family Support Center! Parents must stay with their children. This is a great opportunity for children to meet new friends and parents to network!
Tuesday March 4 10 – 11am
Infant Discovery Play
Join us for a morning of tummy time and sensory activities for infants 0–12 months. Babies will explore simple, engaging activities that promote physical and cognitive development, while parents learn ways to continue the fun and growth at home!
Wednesday,March 26, 10 – 11am
Dad’s Morning Meetup
The Family Support Center invites fathers and male caregivers to join us for a morning breakfast and playgroup! Bring your children, enjoy a bite to eat, connect with other dads, and let your little ones have fun playing in our center. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space to bond and share experiences with fellow fathers!
Thursday, March 27, 9 – 10am
Questions?
All programs will be held at the Family Support Center located at 9790 Patuxent Woods Drive Columbia, MD 21046
*Parents must remain on site with children for all programs!
Contact Family Support Center Director Ashton Sullivan asullivan@howardcountymd.gov
Upcoming Events
Monthly Calendars
Inclement Weather Poilcy
Call the Emergency Status Hotline, 410-313-7777, for the operational status of the Howard County Family Support Center related to weather and other safety concerns.
All DCRS facilities will adhere to Howard County’s delayed opening/closing announcements as it relates to opening/closing facilities during inclement weather.
Family Support Center Plus
