NC DHHS Awarded $75 Million To Support Child Care Facilities Impacted By Hurricane Helene And Tropical Storm Debby
This week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that it received $75.6 million from the Trump administration to support child care centers impacted by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. Over 230 child care centers were impacted by Helene and over 100 facilities were impacted by Tropical Storm Debby.
“Quality child care is a critical resource for families in North Carolina, ensuring children are learning while their parents are able to work,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “We are thankful for our federal partners who share in our commitment to long-term recovery efforts in areas hit hardest by these devastating storms, including to child care facilities.”
The funds were award by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Serice’s Administration for Children & Families, Office of Child Care in American Relief Act Disaster Supplemental Funds for Child Care.
The NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) collaborated with the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC) and local and state partners to request federal funding for recovery efforts in September 2025. The funding will support the following child care 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
Child care operators are encouraged to submit damage reports from Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby in the Disaster Impact Report Portal on the NCDHHS DCDEE website. 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 NC to support disaster recovery, mitigation, and preparedness through September 30, 2030. NCDHHS will share more information regarding this award with child care operators who may be eligible to apply for these funds.