NC receives $75.8M for childcare recovery from Helene. How to apply

The money will support childcare recovery after more than 230 childcare facilities were impacted by Helene and more than 100 childcare facilities were impacted by Debby.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced Feb. 19 it received $75.8 million to support childcare infrastructure recovery in areas impacted by Tropical Storm Helene and Tropical Storm Debby.

The funds came from the U.S. Administration for Children and Families through the American Relief Act Disaster Supplemental Funds for Child Care, according to the announcement. The money will support childcare recovery after more than 230 childcare facilities were impacted by Helene and more than 100 childcare facilities were impacted by Debby.

“North Carolina families depend on having quality and affordable child care, so I thank US DHHS for awarding this funding to help them,” Gov. Josh Stein said in the news release.

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“When a natural disaster forces a child care center to close, people’s lives are turned upside down. This federal funding will help providers rebuild, restore services, and ensure parents can get back to work knowing their children are safe and well cared for.”

The state health department’s Division of Child Development and Early Education collaborated with the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina and local and state partners to request federal funding for recovery efforts in September 2025. The funding will support the following childcare recovery operations:

• Construction, major renovation, or alteration
• Materials, supplies, furnishings, vehicles, and equipment
• Other activities that build child care services in impacted areas
• Mental health consultation or services
• Quality improvement activities

“We are committed to ensuring the successful implementation of this funding opportunity through strategic planning, supports, and resources,” Candace Witherspoon, Director of the state health department’s Division of Child Development and Early Education, said in the release.

“We remain focused on the needs of our early childhood education community and the families they serve.”

Childcare operators are encouraged to submit damage reports from Helene and Debby in the Disaster Impact Report Portal on the NCDHHS DCDEE website at https://providerportal.nc.gov/.

The damage reports ask operators to share the impact of these storms and allow for supporting information to be uploaded. Disaster Supplemental Funds for Child Care may be used by the state to support disaster recovery, mitigation and preparedness through Sept. 30, 2030. The state health department will share more information regarding this award with childcare operators who may be eligible to apply for these funds.

Reporting by Staff Reports, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times

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