SSTC Utilizing Helene Recovery Grants to Support Families and Educators
Following Hurricane Helene, Smart Start of Transylvania County (SSTC ) has received grants from WNC Bridge Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation to support families and educators who have been impacted by the storm and its aftermath. These grants are being used to fund a multi-prong recovery effort in Transylvania County that will address the long-term ramifications of Helene as we work to ensure that all families and children have access to high quality early education and that child care providers receive adequate financial and emotional support.
Many families have experienced financial hardship following the hurricane, even after accessing federal relief funds. SSTC is utilizing recovery dollars to help these families cover the cost of immediate needs including infant care supplies, healthcare services, and winter clothing. We are also helping families to access child care if they lost an existing care arrangement following Helene. SSTC recognizes that child care is an essential need for working class families and that even a temporary lapse in care can greatly impact the livelihoods of parents of young children. Additionally, we are earmarking some funds for future planning as we seek to improve mental health outcomes for impacted children and parents through the delivery of trauma-informed resources and workshops.
Recovery dollars have also been used to help child care centers with clean up, repairs, and ongoing costs related to the storm. Recently, SSTC helped to furnish a new Infant and Toddler room for Kid City Pisgah Forest. A new Infant classroom in our community is a bright spot in the midst of these difficult circumstances, as children ages 0-2 are the most underserved age group in the early childhood sector and there is an ongoing need to build care capacity for children under 2. Funds were also given to Kid City to refill the center’s sandbox and clear the property of debris so that children were able to safely resume outdoor play.
In addition to the funds received through local grants, our organization received a large number of resources through our partnership with Sesame Workshop. Backpacks, winter clothing items, muppet plushies, books on resilience, and other comfort items were provided and are being distributed to families across Western North Carolina.
SSTC supports all families of young children, as well as early educators and care providers. If you have been impacted by Hurricane Helene and are interested in learning more about the types of services and support we offer, visit smartstartransylvania.org to learn more about our existing networks. You can also reach out by phone with any direct inquiries by calling (828) 877-3025.
Written by: Aiyanna Lollis and Published by: The Transylvania Times
