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, enhance the quality of parent and child interactions, and be 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
Healthy Little Cooks
10:30-11:15am at the family Support Center. 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.
- Cooking Playdate with Grandparents November 4th
- Pumpkin Parfait Everyday November 18th
- Toddler & PreK DIY Spaghetti December 9th
- Gingerbread Decorating Party December 16th
- Sandwiches Fit for a Kid January 13th
Building the Family Nest Egg
Join us on November 7th, 6-7 PM at the Family Support Center for our Building the Family Nest Egg Workshop! Discover practical tools and strategies to help your family grow and build a stronger financial future. Dinner provided while you learn how to budget, save, and plan for the road ahead. Plus, we’ll provide free child care so you can focus on your family’s success. Registration is required—don’t miss this chance to invest in your family’s future!
Meeting Date: November 7 from 6 – 7:00p.m.
Infant Massage Series
Join us for a one-hour weekly session, for five weeks focused on infant massage. Each session helps you to form a stronger connection with your child and learn massage techniques to use at home. In these sessions you will learn techniques that can help your baby sleep better and relax. Additionally, infant massage can help parents/caregivers reduce stress, postnatal depression, and aid in further bonding with their baby. After each session the parent/caregiver will go home with an information sheet of the techniques learned in class to be practiced at home.
Meeting Dates: Tuesdays November 12 – December 10 from 11:30a.m. – 12:45pm
Sensory Science
Kids will explore a variety of textures through interactive sensory stations. They'll touch, feel, and identify different materials, enhancing their understanding of the world around them. In our first class, children will create their own sensory bottles. Using colorful materials and various fillers, they’ll make unique bottles that they can shake, swirl, and explore at home.
Meeting Date: Monday November 25 from 10 – 11:30 am
Drop-In Playgroup at the Family Support Center
Join us for our weekly Drop-in Play Group! Families with children ages 1 to 5 are welcome to come explore, play and have fun at the Family Support Center! Parents must stay with their children. Each week will feature a different optional craft/ themed activity.
Meeting dates: Tuesdays November 5 - November 26 from 10 - 11:00 a.m. Rain or Shine.
In the Tall Tall Grass Story Time
Join us for story time, kicking off our monthly literacy series! Children will listen to the classic story, In the Tall Tall Grass, followed by an exciting scavenger hunt to discover the insects and animals featured in the book. After the hunt, we'll create a themed snack related to the story, adding a tasty twist to our adventure. Each child will also take home their very own big book version of the story to enjoy again and again. It’s a fun-filled experience that brings stories to life!
Meeting Dates: Wednesdays November 6 – November 20 from 10 – 11:30a.m.
Little Math Explorers
Join us for Little Math Explorers, where preschoolers embark on an exciting journey through the world of numbers and shapes! In our child development room, children will enjoy learning through play as they engage in hands-on activities that make math fun and accessible. From building with blocks to sorting colorful shapes, little ones will discover how math is woven into everyday life, fostering a love for learning and exploration. Come and see how playful math can be!
Meeting Dates: Wednesdays November 6 – November 20 from 10 – 11:30a.m.
Music and Movement
Experience Music and Movement, where children can groove and get active! In our engaging classes, kids will listen to a variety of music while participating in fun fitness activities and navigating an exciting obstacle course. This dynamic program combines rhythm and movement, helping little ones develop coordination, balance, and a love for being active—all while having a blast!
Meeting Dates: Thursdays November 7 – November 21 from 10 – 11:30a.m.
Family Game Night
The Family Support Center is hosting our first family game night! Bring your family and come play a variety of games ranging from Candy Land, bean bag toss, Don’t Break the Ice, and many more. Games are a great way for families to engage with their children while children learn social skills and practice fine motor skills.
Meeting Date: Monday November 25 from 6 – 7:00p.m.
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 410-313-5987
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.