How Hurricane Helene Quietly Shook WNC’s Child Care System — and How We Are Helping Bring It Back

Nine months after Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, many of its visible scars — from landslides and downed trees to washed-out roads — have long been cleared. But for child care providers across Henderson and Transylvania counties, the storm’s most lasting damage has been far less visible.

At Smart Start Partnership for Children, we saw firsthand how the storm quietly threatened the very foundation of early childhood care in our region, leaving many providers without the resources they needed to reopen.

As a local nonprofit that supports early childhood systems across Henderson and Transylvania counties, we are proud to be part of the Smart Start Network — a statewide system of 76 local partnerships reaching families in all 100 North Carolina counties.

Founded in 1993, Smart Start is a public-private partnership that brings together state government, local leaders, and private organizations to ensure that every child in North Carolina has the opportunity to thrive. Local partnerships like ours carry out that mission at the community level through the North Carolina Partnership for Children.

When Helene struck, we did not wait for outside help. The very next day, our team was on the ground — listening to providers, delivering essential supplies, and helping child care centers begin the path to recovery. While disaster relief teams worked to restore roads and infrastructure, many of our local child care providers were left to deal with flooding, facility damage, lost income, and an uncertain future.

“Without immediate support, many had to shut their doors, leaving working families scrambling for care,” said Sonia Gironda, Executive Director of Smart Start Partnership for Children.

Thanks to funding from the North Carolina General Assembly’s Hurricane Helene recovery grant, along with the support of generous philanthropic partners, we have distributed grants to 36 early childhood centers and family child care homes in our region. These funds are helping providers address urgent needs such as structural repairs, replacement of supplies, lost revenue, and retention bonuses for staff.

Local provider Brandi Mills, owner of the Play and Learning Center in Hendersonville, said the storm nearly derailed her 21-year-old program.

“It was difficult for the parents when I was closed,” Mills said. “But I was able to get the same children back eventually. Smart Start Partnership for Children has been an amazing help. They helped restock food and diapers and provided grant funds for repairs. We are currently rebuilding and repairing everything, in large part thanks to their help.”

For Kanika Fox, owner of Tori’s Tots and a child care provider for 34 years, Helene’s damage included a washed-away patio — a key entryway for families — and a broken water heater.

“I am very grateful for those funds that were provided,” Fox said. “The grant allowed me to make repairs and continue serving local families quickly.”

At Mud Creek Christian School, teacher Lynn Rognstad called the support “a fantastic and unexpected blessing — one for which I am so thankful. Their help will not be forgotten.”

The projects funded so far cover a wide range of recovery needs. These include HVAC systems, water heaters, fencing, drainage, and driveway repairs. Outdoor areas have been revitalized with fresh sand and mulch, new surfacing, playground equipment, bike paths, benches, sandboxes, water tables, and outdoor art spaces. Indoors, providers received infant cribs, toys, rugs, classroom furniture, and upgraded flooring — restoring safe, engaging environments for young children.

We also partnered with Dogwood Health Trust to distribute $325,000 in retention bonuses to child care staff, providing $1,100 to full-time employees and $550 to part-time workers. Additional support came from the Bridge Foundation, Henderson County Community Foundation, and private donors — all helping extend our impact beyond what public funds alone could cover.

“Child care providers are the backbone of working families and the foundation of a strong economy,” Gironda said. “These grants are not just about financial support. They represent hope, stability, and a path forward for the small businesses that nurture our youngest learners every day.”

For families and employers throughout our region, restoring child care services means more than just business continuity. It is about ensuring parents can return to work, children have safe places to learn and grow, and communities can fully recover.

“Helping these centers reopen means more than just fixing buildings,” Gironda said. “It means helping children feel safe again, helping parents return to work, and helping entire communities heal.”