New Initiative Offers Hurricane Recovery Funding to FFN Providers in WNC
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Smart Start of Transylvania County (SSTC) is working to restore access to early education in our community, providing support to child care centers, early educators, and families who have been impacted by the storm and its aftermath. We are embarking on a multi-prong path to recovery, expending funds and resources to help care centers with debris cleanup and restoration, helping struggling families to obtain child care, and extending trauma-informed resources to all families and educators in need. In the midst of recovery efforts, SSTC is extremely grateful to announce our inclusion in a region-wide initiative led by Home Grown to provide one-time relief payments to home-based care providers in WNC who have been impacted by the recent hurricane.
Home Grown is a national collaborative of funders committed to improving the quality of and access to home-based child care (HBCC) in the U.S. through initiatives that uplift the experiences and perspectives of Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) and Family Child Care Home (FCCH) providers. SSTC has proudly worked with Home Grown as part of both the organization’s Building Comprehensive Networks and Voices from Home initiatives, both of which have allowed us to extend new resources and professional development opportunities to providers within our FFN care network over the past two years.
Currently, there are 66 active members within SSTC’s FFN care network who provide regular care for children age(s) 0-5 out of their own home. FFN providers often work for low or no wages while educating young children full time, leaving many providers struggling to afford basic necessities. The recent Hurricane Helene and the unexpected turmoil it brought to our region has further exacerbated existing financial strain experienced by many families and educators in our community, shaking our already fragile child care landscape.
Child care is a fundamental need for all parents of young children to be able to work and provide for their families. Across our rural communities, many families in WNC rely solely on FFN and FCCH providers in order to maintain employment. However, if their homes are in disrepair or they are rendered unable to address medical needs or feed or house themselves, home-based care providers will be unable to resume work as usual.
Addressing the loss and devastation caused by the hurricane through multiple avenues is essential, as it not only keeps care providers afloat, but also prevents the families who rely upon them from experiencing further financial loss if lack of child care leaves them unable to work. In alignment with their commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of home-based care providers, Home Grown has designed and implemented a new funding program to hastily address any needs that may have been unmet by other existing relief programs, so that home-based educators receive adequate support to sustain the valuable role they play within the early childhood sector.
These cash funds, which will be administered in Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Wilkes, Gaston, Lincoln,Transylvania, Buncombe, Cleveland, Jackson, Haywood, Henderson, Rutherford, and McDowell counties, will provide immediate cash assistance to home-based child care providers and caregivers impacted by national disasters and severe weather events. The funds are intended to meet immediate health, safety and personal needs for child care providers; ensure providers can address immediate threats to continued operations; complement, not duplicate or confuse, existing relief efforts, and ensure funds support personal expenses and damage to homes and contents of homes (that will not be reimbursed by public assistance or insurance). By providing them this agency, the intent is that each provider will be able to relieve any residual stressors not resolved by other relief funds, so that they are best equipped to provide high-quality care to the children who rely upon them.
A local grandparent and FFN provider in SSTC’s care network shared how these additional funds are helping her to repair home damages, sharing, “I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the financial support we received following the roof damage from Hurricane Helene. We are currently dealing with two leaks in our roof. Although we have homeowners insurance, the deductible is quite significant, making the financial assistance we received especially valuable in offsetting our out-of-pocket expenses.” She added, “My heart goes out to our neighboring counties, considering the extent of damage and loss of life they experienced. We are truly grateful for the support from Home Grown during this difficult time.”
In addition to administering funds to all 66 FFN providers within SSTC’s network, Home Grown will be aiding 20 FFN providers served by El Telar and 70 FCCH providers served by the Family Child Care & Center Enrichment Foundation. By partnering with multiple organizations, Home Grown will be able to reach providers in all corners of the WNC region, bringing much needed relief dollars to many dedicated and deserving early educators.
Those interested in learning more about the Home Grown collaborative and this new emergency funding program can visit homegrownchildcare.org Providers in Transylvania County interested in becoming part of SSTC’s FFN Network are invited to visit our website at smartstarttransylvania.org to fill out an inquiry form.
Written by: Aiyanna Lollis
