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To our community: We hope that you will find resources on this page if you need them. We are here to support you throughout the year, but especially during this time of the COVID-19/coronavirus spread. You can find resources and links below for locations across Wake County. We will attempt to keep the community resources on this page as up to date and accurate as possible. We will make changes and updates as we become aware of them. You can also read and subscribe to our newsletters here, where we compile resources for parents, educators, and stakeholders and share regular updates.
Wake County Smart Start takes the health of our community seriously. Our office is closed effective March 16 until further notice. Our staff are working remotely and can be reached directly through email. For questions about our partner programs, we recommend you reach out directly to the program itself. Updates about NC Pre-K, including the NEW online application, can be found on the Wake Pre-K page.
Please keep your health and the health of your children and families a priority. Make sure to follow NC Department of Health & Human Services and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines as closely as possible. Specific guidance for Wake County can be found here. You can learn more about NC’s COVID-19 vaccine plan here.
Note about Wake Pre-K: You can now APPLY ONLINE for Wake Pre-K! Please visit the Wake Pre-K page for information about programs and the 2021-22 school year.
Food Access
Water Assistance
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (ENGLISH)
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (SPANISH)
Financial Resources
Community Resources
Family Assistance (including child care)
Accessing Wake County Human Services
Because people are encouraged to stay home and avoid crowded places, Wake County has shared some ways that residents can access services without coming to Human Services buildings. Here is a master list of Wake County Human Services information and resources.
Medicaid
Food & Nutrition Services
Energy Assistance
Child Care Subsidy
Social-Emotional Support
Talking about Race and Racism
Other Resources
Online Courses (Free, Open-Enrollment, and Self-Paced)
Guidance for Child Care Providers
WEBINAR: Financial Help for Wake County Child Care Providers, hosted by WCSS, in partnership with the City of Raleigh’s Office of Economic Development and Innovation and Celito.net | WEBINAR RECORDING
WEBINAR: Assessing Financial Survival for Child Care Providers: First Steps, hosted by WCSS with presentation by Katrece Boyd, General Business Counselor, Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC) | WEBINAR RECORDING
Other Financial Resources
Options to Purchase Food & Cleaning Supplies for Child Care Programs
Waiver Request Form for Centers Participating in CACFP | LINK
Assistance connecting to tele-therapy available 24/7 from Alliance Health | Call 1-800-510-9132
Wake Behavioral Health Urgent Care | ONLINE or call 866-272-7826
Hope4Healers mental health hotline from NC DHHS for health care and child care workers | Call 919-226-2002
Hope4NC mental health hotline from NC DHHS for all other NC residents | Call 1-855-587-3463
Lucy Listens, up to four hours of free, short-term, solutions-focused support for parents and their children provided by a licensed mental health counselor from Lucy Daniels Center | LINK
Managing Anxiety and Stress from the CDC | LINK
Wake Connections links you to services for pregnant women, first-time moms, infants, toddlers, and young children who have not yet started Kindergarten. These programs can help with pregnancy and postpartum support, school readiness, behavior management, parenting skills, and child development. | LINK
Ways to eliminate stress and anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic | LINK
The importance of self-care | LINK
Self-care strategies for teachers | LINK
Practicing self-care during the coronavirus pandemic | LINK
Resources, links, and self-assessments about self-care, particularly for educators | LINK
The Power of Mindfulness | LINK
Mindful Parenting | LINK
Getting Started with Mindfulness: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Organizations | LINK
Mindfulness for Early Childhood Professionals | LINK
Mindfulness: How and why it works | LINK
Mindfulness and meditation guidance | LINK
Online yoga workshops | LINK
Daily online yoga classes | LINK
Inspiration and meditation | LINK
Relaxing and zen radio stations | LINK
Six daily questions to ask yourself in quarantine | LINK
Webinar: Pathways to Resilience in Times of Change | LINK
Loving Yourself as You Are (There’s No Such Thing as a Perfect Parent) | LINK
Easing Worries and Fear with Deep Breathing | LINK
Motor & Movement
Arts & Crafts
Virtual Storytimes
Virtual Tours
Educational