Resources for Families

Need Child Care?

Statewide hotline helping essential workers to find child care: 1-888-600-1685

COVID-19 Parent Application for financial assistance for emergency child care for essential workers

Chatham County Government’s Resource Pages, updated frequently

Main Chatham County coronavirus website

Chatham County Government’s Community Resources webpage

Chatham County Food Assistance

Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps or SNAP)

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/food-nutrition-services-food-stamps

There have been changes in the SNAP EBT program. Those who are currently enrolled will get the maximum benefit for their household size for April and May, regardless of the amount they previously qualified for. Families who are already enrolled do not need to do anything to receive the additional amount. Families and staff who were not previously on SNAP but may now qualify should enroll ASAP!

Activities for Children and Families

The NC Office of Early Learning
Weekly remote learning activities for infants through children age eight

Songs with preschool teacher Vanessa Levin of Pre-K Pages

Discovery Place Stay at Home Science
Discovery Place is putting together a number of hands-on science activities for kids, including kitchen chemistry, a DIY catapult, and a virtual visit to a bee yard.

EdVenture Children’s Museum
South Carolina’s EdVenture.org is offering daily activities for children to try at home, including lessons dedicated to kid favorites like dinosaurs and cars. Videos walk parents and children through educational content and related crafts, like creating a dinosaur skeleton puzzle, designing a car, and more.|

Audible
For as long as school is out Audible is streaming a large collection of children’s stories for free. You can listen on a desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Stories are for kids from pre-school to teens, and also include a collection in five languages other than English.

Chatham County Library
Don’t forget your local library has digital resources!

NC Kids Digital Library

Ready Rosie
You can find suggested activity ideas at ReadyRosie’s Healthy at Home page

Here is a sample:
https://healthyathome.readyrosie.com/en/emotional-well-being/

Parents.com
Growing plants from kitchen scraps such as carrots, celery, beets and more

Health and Safety Resources for Child Care Providers

Make sure you are checking this licensing link frequently for updates:
https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New/Coronavirus-Information-for-Child-Care

Chatham County Public Health Department
Offers an FAQ for child care providers

Health Department Contacts for Chatham County NC child care providers:

The NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center
https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC has a Supplemental Guide for Child Care. This resource provides guidance specific to child care on issues such as:

  • Social distancing
  • Child pick up and drop off procedures
  • Cleaning and disinfecting of toys and bedding
  • Safely caring for infants and toddlers; and
  • Food preparation and meal service

In addition, CDC’s Guidance document provides numerous links to resources that provide even greater detail, including information regarding children’s risks concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Financial Resources for Child Care Providers

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance contained in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) specifically for child care providers. This brief may be helpful to those in the child care field who may need immediate access to working capital as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.

U.S. Small Business Administration
Apply for low interest loans to keep your business afloat due to economic hardship created as a result of the pandemic

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Information on low-to-zero interest loans available to small businesses who are financially struggling as a result of the outbreak.

NC Small Business Administration
There will be a big yellow banner that you can click on: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where they operate.

Training on Continued.com
Child Care Providers can sign up for a free training on continued.com. This link will show you a sampling of what they have to offer for teachers of one and two year old children.

Conscious Discipline: Social-emotional resources for both parents and child care providers

COVID19 Stress: How Uncertainty Affects Our Brains with Dr. Becky Bailey

75 Ways for Kids to Connect and Contribute

Responding to Difficult Questions

Five Tips for Successful Home Learning