Additional Resources
HCPSS Resources
Family and Support Resource Center
The Family Support and Resource Center is designed to help families of children with special needs. Services include workshops, IEP assistance, IFSP assistance, newsletters, a lending library, facilitation of parent support groups, and community resources and service referrals.
The center is open during the school year, Monday through Friday, and over the summer by appointment.
To reach the Family Support and Resource Center, email fsrc@hcpss.org or call 410 313–7161.
Special Education Parent and Guardian Calendar
Events include parent support groups, sensory-friendly events, online discussions, and local conferences.
Behavior Talks
Behavior Talks is a series of brief trainings created by HCPSS staff. Each video shares useful tips to promote student success related to behavior, social/emotional needs, organization/self-management at home, and more.
Videos are provided with enhanced and accessible transcripts.
Staff Contacts
Access the complete list of Special Education staff contacts
MSDE Resources
Family Support Services Directory
MD Able Account A Maryland ABLE account is a low-cost, tax-advantaged way for eligible people with disabilities and their families to save and invest money to pay for expenses related to the health, independence, or quality of life for your child.
Special Education Project You and your child may be able to receive free assistance from a special education advocate, consultant, or attorney through the Special Education Project.
Howard County Community Resources
Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)
Howard County SECAC (Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee) is a parent-driven advisory council advocating for special education issues in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS). They collaborate with community groups to enhance special education services and outcomes.
Loan Closet
The Loan Closet of Howard County is an education & resource center for durable medical equipment & assistive technology. We receive donations of equipment that residents no longer use & redistribute them to county residents who need them.
Phone: 410-313-0363 Fax: 410-313-0369 Website: Loan Closet Email: loancloset@howardcountymd.gov
Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM)
A local nonprofit affiliate of the Autism Society of America that serves individuals on the autism spectrum and their families across Howard, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel Counties. Based in Columbia, the organization acts as a vital community hub, providing family navigation services, peer support groups, and educational advocacy to help people of all ages navigate life with autism. Whether they are helping a parent through the IEP process or hosting social events for neurodivergent adults, AUSOM’s core mission is to ensure that everyone in the local autism community has the resources and connections they need to live a full, dignified life.
The Special Education Equal Development Society (SEEDS)
The Special Education Equal Development Society (SEEDS) of Howard County is a student-led nonprofit organization primarily affiliated with the Chinese American Parent Association (CAPA). Its mission is to support special needs children and their families by fostering a peer-to-peer network that connects special education students with student volunteers. Through weekly and monthly activities—including educational workshops, recreational events, and therapeutic group sessions—SEEDS advocates for the “equal development rights” of neurodivergent youth and works to dismantle social barriers. One of its signature local initiatives is the Independent Steps video series, a bilingual resource created in partnership with the Autism Society of Maryland to help students with developmental disabilities build daily living skills and gain independence.
CHADD of Greater Baltimore
CHADD of Greater Baltimore empowers individuals impacted by ADHD, and those who care for them, by connecting and sharing experience and information with others similarly affected.
Our vision is to:
Continue to be guided by evidence-based information and best practice.
Strengthen and expand our virtual platform as we reach beyond physical boundaries and regions.
Reach an increasingly diverse population of individuals, their families and practitioners, thereby incorporating values and realities pertinent to their experiences.
Build a leadership team that reflects a more diverse membership.
Maryland Access Point (MAP)
Maryland Access Point of Howard County (MAP) is a trusted source of information and assistance for Howard County residents who need or want to plan for their immediate and future needs. MAP serves adults 50 years and older, adults 18 years and older with a disability, family members and other caregivers, and health or business professionals. Contact the MAP office 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) or email map@howardcountymd.gov.
MAP Resource Specialists are available by appointment and are located at our main OAI office in Columbia, the Howard County Loan Closet and across our 50+ Centers. To schedule an appointment, contact the MAP office at 410-313-1234.
The Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities
The Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities was established by statute in September 2016 to advise the county government in establishing an effective, efficient, and comprehensive delivery of services that will most successfully meet the transition needs of Howard County students with disabilities as they transition from high school to postsecondary education, employment, and adult life.
Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF)
MCF “is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and empowering families who are experiencing behavioral health challenges.” They provide family peer support to parents of students with IEPs who are trying to navigate meetings, appointments, insurance, childcare issues, and so many other challenges that parents face outside of the school day. https://www.mdcoalition.org/
The Parents Place of Maryland
The Parents’ Place of Maryland began in 1990 as a grass-roots effort of families, professionals, and community leaders determined to provide resources, support, and information to parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Our philosophy of “families helping families” reflects our commitment to supporting families of diverse backgrounds. Today, the Parents’ Place offers a variety of programs and services that continue to support families of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Serving as Maryland’s Parent Training and Information Center and Family-to-Family Health Information Center, Parents’ Place supports thousands of Maryland families each year. Parents’ Place, staffed primarily by parents who have faced these challenges, believes that experienced parents are a key source of knowledge and support to help other families become effective voices for their own children. Please continue to explore the website to learn more about our staff members, programs.
The Coordinating Center
When you’re seeking guidance, turn to our care coordinators. Our #1 priority is helping YOU understand, qualify and apply for better health, home and community-based support services.
Navigating care can feel overwhelming — we get it. That’s why our team offers kind, knowledgeable, and personalized support every step of the way.
We respect cultural differences and connect individuals across Maryland with the right resources. Whether your coordinator is a nurse, social worker, or supports planner they’ll work with you to reach your goals.
Down Syndrome Association of Maryland
At the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland (DSAmd), our team brings together lived experience, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to building a more inclusive Maryland.
From direct family support to statewide advocacy, our staff and board work collaboratively to serve hundreds of individuals with Down syndrome and their families each year—expanding programs, strengthening partnerships, and driving meaningful systems change.
The Arc of Howard County
Supporting people to achieve full community life means that people have choice and control over all aspects of their lives including where they work, live, and spend their time. The Arc of Howard County believes that engaging and participating in community life has a positive impact on people with disabilities and their community.
National Organizations
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the United States’ largest grassroots mental health organization, dedicated to improving the lives of the millions of Americans affected by mental health conditions. What started as a small group of families around a kitchen table in 1979 has evolved into a massive network of state and local affiliates that provide free, peer-led education programs and support groups. NAMI’s work is essentially a three-pronged approach: providing direct support to individuals and their loved ones, advocating for policy changes that increase access to care, and leading public awareness campaigns to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness. It serves as a go-to resource for anyone seeking a community that understands the “lived experience” of mental health challenges, ensuring that no one has to navigate the system alone.
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.
CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. CEC is known as the source for information, resources, and professional development for special educators.