Family Supports & Resources
Supporting Students and Families
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) provides countless supports for students and families, and recognizes there are times when additional help is needed. Various reputable county, state and national organizations can provide assistance every day and during times of crisis.
See below for a list of resources/organizations. Additional services for residents in Howard County are available on the Howard County Government website.
The organizations listed below are neither sponsored nor endorsed by HCPSS, and instead serve to extend resources available for students and families.
Jump to resources for: HCPSS Supports | Mental Health & Well-Being | Walk-In Services | Food | Clothing | Shelter | Legal | Financial | Employment | Transportation | Additional Resources
Supports for Families of, and Impacted Federal Workers
Families impacted by recent federal government layoffs may now be eligible to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program. Qualifying families can gain access to a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including testing fees, tuition, internet and more. Visit www.hcpss.org/farms to learn more and consider applying.
For those who are interested, HCPSS employment opportunities can be found online. Prospective employees may find it helpful to review the HCPSS external applicant guide before beginning the application process.
Additional supports are being offered by the Howard County Government. Details are available online, including:
HCPSS Supports
HCPSS strives to give all students and families comprehensive support.To strengthen belonging and access for all students, family engagement opportunities and community partnerships are established to extend learning and supports for students within and beyond the classroom.
Some HCPSS student/family supports include, but are not limited to free and reduced meals, mental health and well-being, psychological services, school counseling, school social workers, Pupil Personnel Services, and support for families experiencing homelessness.
Student Services staff at each school are prepared and available to assist students at any time during the school day. Parents/guardians also always reach out to their school administrator and/or student support team with any needs.
Mental Health & Well-Being
HCPSS has a plethora of resources related to mental health and well-being on its website, including those on behavioral/mental health, substance abuse, and talking to children about traumatic events.
Among those are key resources such as:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 988.
- Grassroots Crisis Intervention: Offers 24-hour access to behavioral health, crisis intervention, and additional services. Crisis line, 410-531-6677.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Howard County: Seeks to improve the lives of individuals with mental illness and their families through education, advocacy and support, and to increase awareness of mental illness throughout the community.
- Adult Coordination Services: Links adults to the resources and programs that can help minimize the challenges which arise during an emotional health and wellness challenge.
Walk-In Services
Grassroots
- Walk-In Crisis Assistance, 8990 Old Annapolis Road, Suite A , Columbia: Offers free counselor service for anyone in need, any time of day, seven days a week. Appointments not needed.
- Day Resource Center, 10390 Guilford Road, Suite A, Jessup: Provides hot meals, showers, laundry, and referrals to individuals who are homeless, housing insecure or otherwise in need. Open Mondays and Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Case Management only (drop in and appointments) on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Howard County MultiService Center
Food, Clothing & Shelter
Food Resources
HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, which provide families with significant benefits to help save money. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.
Free and Reduced Meals eligibility additionally provides discounts for summer programs, testing, recreation programs, insurance, and more. Families can apply to participate in the free and reduced meals program year-round. Complete details are available online.
Howard County Community resources include:
- Howard County Food Connection Map: Shares low-cost, accessible food and nutrition resources in the county.
- Howard County Food Pantries and Hot Meals: Lists of food resources by city location.
- Community Action Council Food Bank: Provides free groceries and hygiene products for qualifying residents.
- Food Assistance Resources: Information provided by the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition.
- Food Services: Lists additional food assistance resources, provided by the Howard County Government.
Clothing Needs
- Success in Style: Offers new and gently used clothing for everyone, including interview/work attire.
- Grace Clothing Closet: Collects and distributes gently used clothing to those in need.
Shelter and Housing Assistance
- Grassroots Crisis Intervention: Offers 24/7 shelter, crisis intervention and homeless services. Call 410-531-6677 or walk in at 8990 Old Annapolis Road, Suite A, Columbia.
- Howard County Affordable Rentals: Lists multifamily rental communities in which all or a portion of the units offer affordable rents. Each community has its own application process and tenant screening standards.
- Moderate Income Housing Units: Offers affordable units on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Maryland Housing Search: Offers a statewide searchable database for rentals by location.
- Bridges to Housing Stability: Provides a path to self-sufficiency through affordable housing solutions and advocacy in Howard County.
- Bridges Alliance, an income-based rental housing program, aimed at offering lower-wage working families a new and sustainable housing choice.
- Family Home Start Program, provides housing assistance to families experiencing homelessness and who have children in Howard County public schools.
- FISH of Howard County: Assists with eviction prevention and other aid to county residents with legitimate emergency needs.
- LARS (Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services): Serves homeless and low-income families and individuals.
Legal, Financial & Employment
Legal Assistance
- Maryland Legal Aid: Provides a full range of free, civil legal services to financially eligible individuals.
- Access to Counsel in Evictions: Connects eligible tenants with free legal help to fight evictions or subsidy termination cases.
- Luminus: Empowers immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and asylees by offering legal services to help them achieve their goals.
Financial Assistance
- Department of Social Services: Provides information on TCA (Temporary Cash Assistance), SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), TDAP (Temporary Disabilities Assistance Program), Medicaid, and more. Apply via myMDTHINK.
- Bridges to Housing Stability (Home Start Program): Offers assistance with first month’s rent/security deposit.
- Making Change: Provides free financial counseling.
- Community Action Council (CAC): Assists with utility, eviction prevention, and rent assistance.
Employment Support
- Howard County Office of Workforce Development: Serves a diverse range of individuals, providing valuable services and support to enhance their employment prospects and career development.
- Columbia Workforce Center: Provides a variety of employment and support resources to assist job seekers in achieving their employment goals.
- Maryland Department of Labor: Offers unemployment insurance benefits and application.
Additional Resources
Transportation
- Medical Assistance Transportation:Provides transportation services for clients who need medical care and have no transportation. Call 877-312-6571 or email MATransport2@howardcountymd.gov.
- Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA): Provides fixed route and paratransit services within Howard, Anne Arundel, and Northern Prince George’s counties, and the City of Laurel.
- RTA/HCPSS Student Bus Pass: Gives free Student Bus Passes for no-cost rides on RTA.
- RTA Mobility Services: Offers a curb-to-curb, shared ride transportation service for riders who are unable to ride RTA fixed-route transit system due to a disability or age.
LGBTQIA+
- An extensive list of supports and resources for LGBTQIA+ students and families is available online.
Cell Phone Assistance
- Lifeline Program: Lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service.
Childcare
- Child Care Scholarship (CCS): Helps eligible families in Maryland pay for high-quality child care and early education programs.
Resource Databases
- 211 Maryland: With over 7,500 resources, 211 Maryland is the state’s most comprehensive health and human services Information and Referral System. Individuals with essential needs can get connected to local help 24/7/365.
- Association of Community Resources of Howard County: The ACS’ Guide to Community Services includes nonprofit organizations, government agencies and businesses dedicated to improving the quality of life of Howard County families and individuals.
- CAREAPP: The Howard County Health Department platform connects Howard County residents directly to more than 1,900 service providers for support with food, health, housing, transportation, education, employment, and more.
- Network of Care: Provided by the Howard County Health Department, Bureau of Behavioral Health, and the Local Behavioral Health Authority, the website provides information in the range of human services, including behavioral health, basic needs, and community resources, and materials are available in over 100 languages.