While we continue to understand the immediate impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton on families and communities across Florida, we know one thing: re-establishing high-quality early learning is critical both to the healthy development and education of the more than 150,000 young children in the impacted region, and also to the recovery of our communities.
How are you doing?
Early Learning Programs: Share Your Story
We want to help, but first we need to know about your experiences and the extent of damage you are facing.
If you've been impacted, please share your story in photos, video, or text. In partnership with Early Learning Coalitions across the state, we'll use this to raise awareness and funds to support programs like yours. We know that family child care homes and early learning centers are the backbone of the recovery effort and Florida's economy.
Resources
General
We are thinking of our neighbors all across Florida who have been impacted by the recent storms. We have compiled a list of resources to help you and your loved ones get back on their feet.
Florida Division of Emergency Management: Find shelters and points of distribution for food, water, tarps etc., reconnect with loved ones, request help in clean up, seek legal assistance and much more.
FEMA: Apply for financial assistance to aid in recovery from storms and other natural disasters.
Florida 511: Stay up to date on road closures, detours, and other important road alerts.
988 Lifeline: Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, counselors are waiting.
Supporting Children Through Disasters
In uncertain times, children especially need support. Knowing how to talk them through a crisis situation can make all the difference.
FEMA - Helping Children Cope with Disaster
Nemours - Storm stress - Helping Kids Stay Calm
ChildTrends - Resources to Help Children in the Aftermath of a Hurricane
Supporting Early Learning Businesses
Early learning businesses (even nonprofits!) can apply for grants and/or 0% interest loans to get your operation back up and running.
Start by completing Florida Commerce's Business Damage Assessment Survey: Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses.
Child Care Funding Guide for FEMA Assistance: Download this step-by-step guide to help you apply for disaster assistance for your early learning business.
FEMA Public Assistance Disaster Grant: Meant for use in debris removal, emergency protective services, future mitigation, and repair, restoration, and replacement of disaster-affected critical services or non-critical, essential services, (including child care facilities), all of which must be state or IRS tax-exempt.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans: Covers losses not covered by insurance or FEMA funding and business operating expenses that would have been met if not for the disaster occurring. Use for damage repairs and replacement of physical assets, mitigation assistance, small business operating expenses, and to cover for costs caused by absence of an employee being deployed as a military reservist.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program: Small businesses that incurred economic injury or physical damage from storms can apply. This loan is meant to bridge the gap between reception of federal or commercial loans, insurance coverage, etc.