The Family Support Centers provide free; comprehensive services; either on-site or through referral; to families; targeting parents and their children from birth through age three. The Centers: • Promote the optimal development of young children through the provision of parent/child activities and a wide range of child development services;• Assist parents to develop more effective parenting skills and fulfill their aims related to school; employment and family life;• Provide supportive networks among parents in local communities; and• Connect parents and their children to public and private agencies and informal community resources that can help them.Funding for the network of Family Support Centers comes from the Maryland State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; private foundations; corporations; and individuals. The following core services are offered at Family Support Centers: Infant/toddler program: developmental infant toddler care/assessment; Parent education; Self-sufficiency programming: adult education/family literacy and job readiness; Health education and referral for services; Peer support; Service coordination; and Outreach; collaboration; and resource development.
