Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition

09/01/2026

📚 Start the School Year Strong with HCPSS Family Academy!

Howard County families are invited to kick off the 2025–26 school year at the HCPSS Family Academy!

📅 Saturday, September 27
🕘 9:00 a.m.–Noon
📍 Oakland Mills High School

Attend an informative session with HCPSS Superintendent William Barnes and connect with HCPSS offices and local organizations offering information about programs, resources, and services available to students and families.

✨ Childcare and language access will be provided.

Bring your questions, explore available resources, and learn more about ways to support your family throughout the school year.

👉 Registration is not required.



📚 ¡Empieza el curso con buen pie con la Academia Familiar del HCPSS!

¡Invitamos a las familias del condado de Howard a dar la bienvenida al curso 2025-26 en la Academia Familiar del HCPSS!

📅 Sábado, 27 de septiembre
🕘 De 9:00 a. m. a mediodía
📍 Instituto Oakland Mills

Asiste a una sesión informativa con el superintendente del HCPSS, William Barnes, y entra en contacto con las oficinas del HCPSS y las organizaciones locales que ofrecen información sobre los programas, recursos y servicios disponibles para los alumnos y las familias.

✨ Se ofrecerá servicio de guardería y asistencia lingüística.

Trae tus preguntas, explora los recursos disponibles y descubre más formas de apoyar a tu familia a lo largo del curso escolar.

👉 No es necesario inscribirse.

08/27/2026

🌟 Join Us for International Overdose Awareness Day in Howard County 🌟

The 11th Annual International Overdose Awareness Day of Howard County will bring our community together for an evening of recovery, remembrance, hope, and healing. 💜

📅 Monday, August 31, 2026
📍 St. John’s Episcopal Church
9120 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21042

The evening will include:

💜 6:00–7:00 PM | Outdoor Program
Fire & Rescue demonstration, behavioral health resources, naloxone training, overdose response demonstration, healing art activity, refreshments, and light fare.

🕯️ 7:00–8:30 PM | Indoor Program
State and County leaders, community comments, journeys of healing and hope by family members, memorial slideshow, and a candlelight vigil.

International Overdose Awareness Day is an opportunity to remember those we have lost, support those in recovery, and come together as a community to help end overdose.

📲 Scan the QR codes on the flyer for additional information and click on the link below to register for the event:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-international-overdose-awareness-day-of-howard-county-tickets-1993883969627

Please share this event with your family, friends, and community networks. 💜

08/26/2026

💛 Prevent Falls. Stay Safe. Stay Independent.

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of admission to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center and that 1 in 5 falls results in a serious injury, such as a brain injury or broken bone?

Join the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for a FREE fall prevention education class taught by a Shock Trauma expert. Learn practical steps you can take to lower your risk of falling and stay safe.

📅 Thursday, September 17
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM
📍 The Owen Brown Interfaith Center – Meeting Hall A
7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD
🥪 Attendees may bring lunch
🎟️ FREE

Falls are not a normal part of the aging process. Take an hour to learn how you can help protect yourself or someone you care about.

🚗 Directions: https://obicolumbia.org/directions.htm

📞 Questions? Call 410-328-2035 or email [email protected].

08/25/2026

🚲👮 Bike With A Cop!

Grab your bike and helmet and join the Howard County Police Department’s Community Outreach & Pathways (COPS) officers for a FREE community event!

📅 Saturday, September 19
⏰ 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Azlon Plaza
6100 Merriweather Drive, Columbia, MD

🚲 Bring your own bike and helmet
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages are welcome
🧒 Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
🎟️ FREE to attend

Come out, bring the family, and enjoy a morning of biking and community fun with HCPD!

08/24/2026

🚌⚡ Flash Bus Rapid Transit is Coming to Howard County!

Beginning Tuesday, September 8, Montgomery County’s Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service will extend into Howard County along the US 29 corridor!

The new fare-free pilot service will operate during weekday morning and evening peak travel periods, with stops serving:

📍 Maple Lawn
📍 Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
📍 Downtown Columbia
📍 Burtonsville
📍 Silver Spring Transit Center

Riders in Downtown Columbia will also be able to connect with RTA and MTA commuter bus services, providing access to even more destinations throughout the region.

🚍 Service begins September 8
💲 Fare-free
📅 Monday–Friday during peak travel periods

Click on the link below to learn more and view the complete schedule through Howard County’s Office of Transportation.

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/transportation/public-transportation/Flash



🚌⚡ ¡El servicio de autobús rápido «Flash Bus» llega al condado de Howard!

A partir del martes 8 de septiembre, el servicio de autobús rápido «Flash Bus» (BRT) del condado de Montgomery se ampliará al condado de Howard a lo largo del corredor de la US 29.

Este nuevo servicio piloto gratuito funcionará durante las horas punta de la mañana y la tarde de los días laborables, con paradas en:

📍 Maple Lawn
📍 Laboratorio de Física Aplicada de la Universidad Johns Hopkins
📍 Centro de Columbia
📍 Burtonsville
📍 Centro de Tránsito de Silver Spring

Los usuarios del centro de Columbia también podrán hacer transbordo a los servicios de autobuses de cercanías de la RTA y la MTA, lo que les permitirá acceder a aún más destinos en toda la región.

🚍 El servicio comienza el 8 de septiembre
💲 Sin coste
📅 De lunes a viernes durante las horas punta

Haz clic en el enlace siguiente para obtener más información y consultar el horario completo a través de la Oficina de Transporte del condado de Howard.

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/transportation/public-transportation/Flash

08/21/2026

🚌🛑 When Do You Stop for a School Bus?

With students heading back to school, here’s an important reminder about when drivers must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and its stop sign extended.

🚗 On a multi-lane roadway: All vehicles traveling in both directions must stop.

🛣️ If there is a raised median or curb: Only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus must stop.

Thousands of citations are issued each year for illegally passing stopped school buses. Let’s help keep Howard County students safe by knowing the rules and stopping when required.

🛑 See the flashing red lights? Know when to STOP.

Click on the link below to learn more about HCPD’s External School Bus Camera Program or call 410-313-7555, https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/external-school-bus-cameras



🚌🛑 ¿Cuándo hay que detenerse ante un autobús escolar?

Ahora que los alumnos vuelven al colegio, aquí tienes un recordatorio importante sobre cuándo los conductores deben detenerse ante un autobús escolar con las luces rojas intermitentes encendidas y la señal de parada desplegada.

🚗 En una vía de varios carriles: todos los vehículos que circulen en ambas direcciones deben detenerse.

🛣️ Si hay una mediana elevada o un bordillo: solo deben detenerse los vehículos que circulen en la misma dirección que el autobús escolar.

Cada año se imponen miles de multas por adelantar ilegalmente a autobuses escolares detenidos. Contribuyamos a la seguridad de los alumnos del condado de Howard conociendo las normas y deteniéndonos cuando sea necesario.

🛑 ¿Ves las luces rojas intermitentes? Sabes cuándo debes DETENERTE.

Haz clic en el enlace que aparece a continuación para obtener más información sobre el Programa de cámaras externas en los autobuses escolares del HCPD o llama al 410-313-7555, https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/external-school-bus-cameras

08/20/2026

☕👮 Coffee with a Cop

Grab a cup of coffee and connect with the Howard County Police Department at its next Coffee with a Cop!

Meet HCPD patrol and community outreach officers, ask questions, discuss community issues, and get to know the officers serving Howard County.

📅 Thursday, August 27
⏰ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 PJ’s Coffee
10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 2600, Columbia
🎟️ FREE and open to all

Come enjoy good conversation and community connection—one cup at a time! ☕💙

08/19/2026

Exciting opportunities await! Join us for the Exhibition and upcoming events. Engage with community health initiatives and support local efforts. Check out our resources and get involved!



Click here to read 👇

Email from Howard County Health Department August 2026 MEMBER ACTION ALERT August 19, 2026 Translation Español 中文 한국어 Click on any of the above links to change the language using Google Translate. Rec

08/19/2026

🎒📚 Back to School Night!

Get ready for the new school year with a night of family fun! Join Howard County Recreation & Parks at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center for Back to School Night.

🎮 Games & activities
🥤 Refreshments
🤝 Meet new friends and connect with peers
🏫 Tour the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center
📅 Learn about upcoming programs and activities

📅 Friday, August 21
⏰ 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Harriet Tubman Cultural Center
🎟️ FREE – Pre-registration requested

Bring the whole family and kick off the school year with fun, connection, and community!

👉 Register using the link below:
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/activity/search/detail/162757?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true



🎒📚 ¡Noche de vuelta al cole!

¡Prepárate para el nuevo curso con una noche de diversión en familia! Únete al Departamento de Ocio y Parques del Condado de Howard en el Centro Cultural Harriet Tubman para la Noche de vuelta al cole.

🎮 Juegos y actividades
🥤 Refrescos
🤝 Haz nuevos amigos y conoce a otros jóvenes
🏫 Visita guiada por el Centro Cultural Harriet Tubman
📅 Infórmate sobre los próximos programas y actividades

📅 Viernes, 21 de agosto
⏰ De 18:00 a 21:00
📍 Centro Cultural Harriet Tubman
🎟️ GRATIS – Se ruega inscripción previa

¡Trae a toda la familia y da la bienvenida al curso escolar con diversión, convivencia y espíritu comunitario!

👉 Inscríbete a través del siguiente enlace:
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/activity/search/detail/162757?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

08/18/2026

🚌🎒 Keep Our Kids Safe This School Year — Drive Smart!

As Howard County students and staff head back to school on August 24, remember that keeping our children safe is a responsibility we all share.

Through the Howard County Police Department’s H.A.S.T.E. (Helping Arriving Students Through Enforcement) initiative, officers will increase patrols around schools during the first few weeks of the 2026–2027 school year.

🚗 Drivers, please remember to:

🛑 Stop for school buses with flashing red lights
🚸 Yield to pedestrians in school zones and crosswalks
🐢 Slow down and obey posted speed limits
📵 Put your phone away and avoid distracted driving
💺 Make sure everyone is properly buckled up

Howard County Public School System buses are equipped with external cameras to help identify motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses. The Maryland fine for illegally passing a school bus is $250.

📸 Speed cameras are rotated among school zones throughout Howard County. Camera locations are posted in advance and updated weekly on HCPD’s “Speed Camera Program” webpage:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/speed-camera-program

A few extra minutes of patience can help make sure every student arrives at school—and gets home—safely. 💛

Slow down. Stay alert. Drive smart.



🚌🎒 Mantengamos a nuestros niños a salvo este curso escolar: ¡conduce con prudencia!

Ahora que los alumnos y el personal del condado de Howard vuelven al colegio el 24 de agosto, recuerda que velar por la seguridad de nuestros niños es una responsabilidad que todos compartimos.

A través de la iniciativa H.A.S.T.E. (Helping Arriving Students Through Enforcement) del Departamento de Policía del condado de Howard, los agentes intensificarán las patrullas en los alrededores de los colegios durante las primeras semanas del curso escolar 2026-2027.

🚗 Conductores, por favor, recordad:

🛑 Deteneos ante los autobuses escolares con las luces rojas intermitentes
🚸 Ceder el paso a los peatones en las zonas escolares y los pasos de cebra
🐢 Reducir la velocidad y respetar los límites de velocidad señalizados
📵 Guardar el móvil y evitar conducir distraído
💺 Asegurarse de que todos lleven correctamente abrochado el cinturón de seguridad

Los autobuses del Sistema de Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Howard están equipados con cámaras externas para ayudar a identificar a los conductores que adelantan ilegalmente a los autobuses escolares detenidos. La multa en Maryland por adelantar ilegalmente a un autobús escolar es de 250 dólares.

📸 Las cámaras de control de velocidad se van rotando por las zonas escolares de todo el condado de Howard. La ubicación de las cámaras se publica con antelación y se actualiza semanalmente en la página web del «Programa de cámaras de control de velocidad» del HCPD:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/speed-camera-program

Unos minutos más de paciencia pueden ayudar a garantizar que todos los alumnos lleguen al colegio —y vuelvan a casa— de forma segura. 💛

Reduce la velocidad. Mantente alerta. Conduce con prudencia.