Mission
To ensure all children, youth and families in our community have access to resources, opportunities, and support systems that promote their well-being and enable them to reach their full potential.
VISION
A community where children, youth and families thrive in safe, nurturing environments with strong support networks that promote resilience, well-being, and lifelong success.
Local Children's Board 5 Year Strategic Plan (2025-2030)
Introducing Community Connections
Community Connections is a new digital publication from the Office of the Local Children’s Board (OLCB) which highlights how the office supports children, youth and families by strengthening community programs, sharing resources and spotlighting the impact of local partnerships. The bi-monthly newsletter will focus on our work, share helpful resources and connect you to ways to get involved.
Strategic Priorities
Strengthening social networks, developing our workforce, and implementing community-based programs that build collective capacity.
Creating holistic support systems, enhancing education and career development and expanding high-quality afterschool and summer programs.
Promoting emotional well-being and resilience, supporting school-based mental health services and reducing barriers to accessing critical support services.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced that every student in Howard County Public Schools will have access to mental health services for at least the next two years. Howard County has committed $2.1 million to expand a school-based mental health program to all 77 public schools and to subsidize mental health resources in the community for vulnerable youth. Read more at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News042622b.
In June 2022, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced a $2 million investment in support services for students and families to help close the achievement gap. The funding will support HoCo STRIVES (Strategies to Reach an Inclusive Vision and Equitable Solutions), which is an umbrella for the many initiatives in place to address the achievement gap, and now to address learning loss brought on by the pandemic. Read more at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News062122.
Access to Opportunity in Howard County: Making the Case for Equity
Programs & Resources
The Local Care Team provides a forum for families of children and youth with intensive needs to access information on available community resources and services. The team is comprised of representatives from the major child serving agencies, as well as a parent advocate. The group reviews information about the child/youth and then works together with the family to identify programs and services that can best assist child and family needs (serving youth ages three to 21).
If you are interested in getting connected to the Local Care Team please complete a referral here.
If you have questions or need assistance completing a referral please contact Mary Ndukwe at 410-313-6552 (voice/relay) or mndukwe@howardcountymd.gov.
Getting Ahead, in a “just-gettin’-by world,” is a 16-session curriculum that helps individuals in poverty build their resources for a more prosperous life for themselves, their families and their communities. Getting Ahead provides the foundation for understanding the root causes of poverty and focuses on resources needed to rise above it.
Contact: Terrance Stroman III at 410-313-6553 (voice/relay) or tstroman@howardcountymd.gov
Contact: Lee Jones at 410-313-0243 (Voice/Relay) or lejones@howardcountymd.gov
R-RULES is a robust curriculum of project development and management, exchanges with the community, and individual academic and career plans that gets students ready for leadership in the workplace and in life.
Contact: Contact: Terrance Stroman III at 410-313-6553 (voice/relay) or tstroman@howardcountymd.gov
Learn where your child is on the road to health and well-being and what resources are available in Howard County for you and your child. Available below in English and Spanish, the behavioral road map is a resource for families, health practitioners, school-based professionals, service providers, and other affiliates to provide accessible and comprehensive information to better navigate youth behavioral health supports in Howard County.
The Mission of the MultiService Center is to enrich the lives of residents in our community by providing access to a variety of human services and support along with our onsite partner agencies.
Contact us:
9900 Washington Blvd N, Suite I, Laurel MD 20723
Contact: Valerie Mathis at 410-313-0220 (voice/relay) or vmathis@howardcountymd.gov
Fax: 410-313-0235
DCRS Information/Event Request Form
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Community Resources and Services participating in and/or speaking at your event. To make a request, please complete and submit the following form at least two weeks prior to the event, and allow five business days for decisions to be made.
The Howard County Local Children's Board is comprised of public and private members working collaboratively to ensure a strong continuum of services for families and children in our community. Also known as the Local Management Board, there is a functioning board in each of the 24 jurisdictions in Maryland. We work in partnership with the Governor's Office for Children to ensure children grow up healthy, secure and successful.
