A community that cares for its children is a strong community.
Some families can face external social and financial barriers as well as difficult situations, such as poverty, domestic violence, and incarceration of a family member. These stressors can negatively affect a child and their brain development, which is referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Learn more about brain development and ACEs in the Brain Building section of our website.
The good news is a community’s actions can counterbalance the weight of this adversity, leading to greater resilience and hope for children and their families. The systems and services within a community can be the catalyst to creating foundations of health and well-being for us all, resulting in positive outcomes for families like:
Support for families
- Parent education
- Quality, early childhood education
- Quality healthcare
- Parent and caregiver-child wellbeing
- Accessible transportation
- Safe housing
- Equitable access to services
- Diverse and welcoming communities
Throughout Frederick County, there are many services and programs available for setting families up for success, and these programs are a result of the combined efforts of local government, public and private agencies, businesses, and individual citizens.
The IECC exists to empower families and educate the community and does so by providing connections and resources to advocate for positive social change.
When children and their families are able to prosper and reach their full potential, our entire community prospers.
By investing in early childhood through family-focused policies and initiatives, a community creates a socio-economic environment that benefits every resident, not just those who have young children.
These benefits include factors such as:
- A quality workforce with successful future employees.
- Overall economic stability thanks to the prosperity of individuals and families.
- Responsible and productive citizens within future generations.
- An involved local government with its citizens best interests in mind.
Individuals who contribute to their society’s growth and well-being can experience a return on their investment. A return on an investment (ROI) is traditionally reported in a quantifiable manner; however, it is not always easy to assign a number to the impact that services and programs can have. One way the IECC is working to quantify these factors is through the Child Care Market Study. The study, which is currently ongoing, seeks to provide data and insight into the status of early childhood wellbeing in Frederick County.
Learn more about the different benefits that a community experiences when businesses and the local government invests in early childhood.
Every month, the IECC meets to discuss and strategize ways to accomplish our mission: to foster the successful growth and wellness of families and young children in Frederick County.
To learn more about how you can support programs and policies that strengthen early childhood development in our community, we invite you to join us for one of our monthly meetings.
Frederick County Local Management Board
This board is responsible for guiding the Division of Family Services Administration as well as governing, allocating resources, and monitoring and evaluating family services in Frederick County.
As part of the Local Health Improvement Process, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Workgroup aims to raise awareness, reduce, and prevent the impacts of toxic stress in our community. By developing community-wide strategies, resources and support to raise children in safe, stable, and nurturing environments are made available for our community.
For more information, please contact us at:
Frederick County Division of Family Services | Email | (301) 600-1074
- The ALICE Report for Frederick County provides and in-depth look at Frederick County and the population called ALICE - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households have incomes above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), but struggle to afford basic household necessities.
United Way of Frederick County
- United Way of Frederick County improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the Frederick County community to advance the common good.
- Ready At Five is committed to comprehensive school readiness for all Maryland children.
- A public engagement campaign that helps parents, grandparents and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.
- Getting schools, families, and children ready to learn.
- Helps people with developmental disabilities live enviable lives, done through services, advocacy, and creating a supportive community
Frederick County Family Services Programs
- Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society that has the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential.
Low Intensity Support Services
- The DDA’s LISS Program serves children living at home with their family and adults with developmental disabilities living in their own home in the community, who are not receiving any support services from the DDA. Below are a few highlights:
- It is flexible to meet the needs of children as they grow and adults as they mature across their lifespan.
- Provides up to $2000 to assist children and adults with purchasing eligible services and/or items to address their needs.
- Enhances or improves a child or adult’s quality of life, promotes independence and community integration.
- The Frederick County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee works in collaboration with students, families, FCPS staff, and the community to advise the office of special education and the Board of Education. The committee will focus on open and honest communication, improving effectiveness and accountability, advocating for appropriate resources, and identifying individual issues that may often be systemic. The committee will work together to put children first.
- To improve the emotional and physical health of caregivers through proactive, affordable, restorative, respite opportunities.