WNC Recovery Resources for Individuals and Families
It is essential that you have the resources you need, when and where you need them.
Recovery from Hurricane Helene is a top priority for NC, led by the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC).
For a full list of resources, please go to www.wncrecovery.nc.gov/catalog-category/individuals-and-families.
Relief Funding for Child Care Centers
Relief is available for child care centers, family child care homes, before- and after-school programs (0-5 or 0-12), Head Starts, and NC Pre-K programs recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The center or program can apply now for grant funding to help reopen the center or to help keep it open. Grant funding of $10 million was appropriated to help child care centers in impacted areas across western North Carolina. Details at www.wncrecovery.nc.gov/relief-funds-childcare-centers/open.
Behavioral Health Tip Sheet
Find a list of resources offering help for people recovering from Hurricane Helene. These mental and behavioral resources for children, adolescents and adults are provided through the NC Division of Mental Health and the US Department of Health and Human Services. Details at www.wncrecovery.nc.gov/behavioral-health-tipsheet/open.
NC Private Road and Bridge Reimbursement Program
The North Carolina Private Road and Bridge Program (NC-PRB) was established to assist property owners across western North Carolina with damages from Helene. Details at www.ncdps.gov/Helene/PRB.
Access Free Civil Legal Assistance
People in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene can access free civil legal assistance through Pisgah Legal Services. Access help with FEMA applications and appeals, housing and eviction issues, mortgage issues and foreclosure prevention, debt, homeowners insurance disputes, protection from scams and fraud, and disaster-related tax matters. For more information or to apply, visit pisgahlegal.org/helene or call (828) 253-0406.
Legal Help for Disaster-Related Issues
Access free legal help for disaster-related issues, including applying for FEMA or other assistance, appealing benefit denials, protecting against scams or contractor fraud, addressing housing problems like evictions, foreclosures, or unsafe conditions, replacing lost documents, and guiding survivors through insurance, employment, and other legal challenges after a storm. Go to legalaidnc.org/tropical-storm-helene-disaster-assistance.
Story Workbook: Hurricane Helene
This story workbook offers a resource for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their care partners. Care partners can use this book to help explain hurricanes to the person with I/DD. It is written in plain language with visuals to support understanding. Download a copy of the workbook at www.ncdhhs.gov/documents/hurricane-helene-idd-resource-english/open.
Access Resilience Trainings
Attend weekly trainings offered for first responders, health care workers, volunteers, and others who are looking for tools to support their friends, neighbors, and loved ones during this difficult time. This resource is offered by Resources for Resilience in partnership with Vaya Health. Details at resourcesforresilience.com.
Rapid Resets
These are tools that can help us calm down quickly during times of stress. They can be used alone or with someone else when life gets tough. As you use the guide, pay special attention to your physical feelings. You may begin to sense changes in your breathing, heart rate, and muscle tension as you destress. Download the guide at www.wncrecovery.nc.gov/rapid-reset-tools/open.
Access Mental Health Support (HOPE4NC)
There is no right or wrong way to feel in a disaster. It is essential that you have the resources you need, when and where you need them. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services can help people impacted by Helene find someone to talk with. Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at (800) 985-5990 or the Disability and Disaster Hotline at (800) 626-4959. Find and share these and other resources like 988, access to counseling, access to opioid treatment, and emergency access to medication. Details at www.ncdhhs.gov/mental-health/open.
Resources for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind
Hurricane Helene recovery resources for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind are offered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Get help replacing a lost or damaged hearing aid or cochlear implant and find other recovery-related guidance and resources, including videos in ASL with captions. Details at www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/services-deaf-and-hard-hearing-dsdhh/hurricane-helene-resources-deaf-hard-hearing-and-deafblind.
For more recovery news and updates, please visit wncrecovery.nc.gov.
