NC announces $20 million to expand childcare in storm recovery areas

North Carolina is making $20 million available to expand childcare on community college and university campuses in counties affected by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby, Gov. Josh Stein announced.

The funding is part of a $75 million federal grant awarded to the state for childcare recovery in disaster-affected areas. Applications for the $20 million program will open Sept. 14 and close Nov. 2.

“Today marks a step forward in creating opportunity for children and restoring stability for families in areas hit the hardest by these devastating storms,” Stein said. 

More than 230 childcare centers were affected by Helene, and more than 100 in central and southeastern parts of the state were affected by Tropical Storm Debby in 2024, according to state officials.  

The money can be used to build new centers and renovate older centers. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says projects must address community needs. State leaders see North Carolina’s higher education campuses as ideal locations to expand childcare options on public land. 

State officials from NCDHHS say only 16 of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges currently have childcare on campus. About 10 of the 17 UNC System campuses have some form of on-site childcare. 

“This investment to expand on-site child care to college campuses will reduce barriers for students, faculty, and the surrounding communities, allowing them to learn and work knowing their children are safe and receiving high-quality education and care,” said NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai.   

NC budget offers rural childcare businesses financial help they’ve sought for years

Last year, NCDHHS said that as many as 55 childcare centers in western North Carolina damaged by Helene were expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future. By March 2025, at least 10 remained closed or were operating from temporary locations. 

The remaining $55 million in federal funding is expected to support recovery payments to eligible providers, salary supplements for early-childhood educators, disaster preparedness efforts and mental health resources. 

“Childcare is essential economic infrastructure,” said Matt Calabria, director of the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina. “When a center closes, parents can’t get back to work, employers can’t staff up, and a community’s recovery slows.”