Photo credit: hechingerreport.org
SWANNANOA, N.C. — In a play session aimed at helping young children process trauma, three-year-old Fitz Lytle engaged in burying a plastic cheetah in lavender-scented sand.
“Is Fitz going to help them?” inquired Shelby Ward, an early childhood mental health specialist observing nearby.
“A police car will help them,” Fitz responded, driving a tiny police car around the mound where the cheetah’s ears were visible. This police car was one of several figurines used during these sessions, alongside fences and homes, all chosen to help children connect with their experiences following Hurricane Helene. The storm, which hit North Carolina last September, resulted in around 15 inches of rain and caused an estimated $59 billion in damages.
Ward and her colleague were facilitating play therapy sessions, a recognized therapeutic approach that allows children to express their emotions through play and toys. Employees from the Verner Center for Early Learning, a nonprofit organization in Asheville, have conducted these sessions in various local spots since November, aiming to assist young children in coping with the lasting trauma from the hurricane.
Fitz and his mother, Deana Lytle, were among those affected. They evacuated their home near the Swannanoa River amid the storm’s chaos. Following the evacuation, Fitz exhibited behavioral changes, including toilet accidents and difficulties with sleep and emotional regulation. It wasn’t until Deana brought him to a play therapy session that she began to understand his behavior as manifestations of trauma.
“That’s how a 3-year-old displays trauma,” she reflected. “Who knew, you know?”
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Nearly six months post-Hurricane Helene, numerous families and young children continue to struggle with its effects. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, at least 55 early child care centers were impacted by the storm, with ten still closed or operating in temporary locations. Many parents lost employment and thus their ability to afford child care. For children under five, such disruptions can severely impact their relationships with caregivers and contribute to challenges during crucial periods of cognitive, emotional, and social development.
Experts express concern about the frequent neglect of young children’s needs in disaster recovery efforts. As emphasized by Bradford Wiles, an associate professor at Kansas State University, the perception of early childhood educators as mere babysitters undermines the critical role they play. High-quality early childhood education is linked to improved outcomes for children, including better literacy, higher graduation rates, and enhanced job prospects.
Increasingly severe weather events driven by climate change are likely to expose more families to similar disasters. A recent survey found that 61% of parents and 57% of caregivers of children under age six reported experiencing at least one extreme weather event since 2022. Moreover, with proposed cuts to federal disaster recovery funding — including the potential restructuring or elimination of FEMA — resources for families and early childhood educators are at risk of being further diminished.
“Including early care and education in recovery strategies is vital,” Wiles stated. “It reduces the stress on parents while empowering them to assist their communities.”
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The state of early childhood education in western North Carolina was already precarious prior to the hurricane, a situation exacerbated by longstanding underfunding and a “funding cliff” following the cessation of federal pandemic relief in June. This lack of investment has resulted in low wages for educators, hampering efforts to attract and retain qualified staff. A 2023 statewide study revealed that 39% of educators left their positions, with one in five planning to exit their roles within three years.
In the immediate aftermath of Helene, Vantoinette Savage, a North Carolina delegate representing the National Association for Family Child Care, attempted to reach the affected areas from Charlotte. However, her efforts were halted by blocked roads. Nevertheless, Savage, also president of the Family Childcare and Center Enrichment Foundation, collaborated with another organization, Home Grown, to disburse cash grants ranging from $800 to $1,500 to 78 providers in the region shortly after the disaster struck.
As of January, ongoing efforts are directed toward assisting the 22 providers who have yet to reopen, including four individuals who lost their homes.
One such provider is Jeneal Hensley, who operated The Little People’s Place from her home, located just yards from the Swannanoa River. The center suffered severe damage from the floodwaters, which destroyed not only her home but also the playground. Despite this, Hensley considers herself fortunate, having received financial assistance from her insurance, FEMA, and Home Grown.
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The road to rebuilding has been slow; recovery efforts have languished, including the removal of debris. The arrival of warmer weather is essential for starting the construction process anew.
Despite the setbacks, Hensley remains optimistic about reopening her center, expressing confidence that many families would return. “One family, I’m really positive that I will get their child back,” she noted, appreciating the community support, including a GoFundMe campaign launched on their behalf.
Beyond physical destruction, the psychological toll of recovery weighs heavily. Alissa Rhodes, another local educator who faced her own challenges in caring for her family post-Hurricane Helene, has chosen to support fellow providers seeking to reopen rather than restart her own business immediately. “It’s a double-edged sword because the providers have to get back to work or they can’t pay their bills,” she explained, emphasizing the need for self-care during recovery.
Some progress has been made to support providers. Recently, the foundation received a grant aimed at improving mental health resources for its team, while Verner has ensured staff received training in resilience techniques to prepare for the trauma present in returning students and parents.
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Each week that early childhood programs remained closed meant parents like Lytle had to manage child care against ongoing recovery efforts. Following the storm, Lytle became deeply involved in coordinating community recovery efforts while relatives stepped in to care for Fitz. Though his preschool escaped significant storm damage, it was delayed in reopening due to the destruction of the area’s water supply. Fitz’s preschool finally opened about a month later, but the transition was hard, filled with significant emotional challenges for both mother and son.
“Before, I couldn’t sit in another room; I couldn’t work. I had to be right there beside him,” Lytle shared, reflecting on the change in her son’s attachment to her before and after the crisis.
Other families similarly navigated the upheaval caused by the hurricane, such as Kaitlin Swords, who temporarily relocated to Atlanta until her son’s preschool in Asheville reopened. Though she was grateful for the tuition relief, the school scaled back hours for staff adjustment, leading to challenges for her and her husband in managing their work schedules.
Related: We know how to help young kids cope with the trauma of the last year — but will we do it?
Wiles noted that disasters can act as catalysts for change within communities. “As unfortunate as it sounds, after a disaster is often the best time for transformation,” he remarked. “It takes community support to facilitate change, particularly when state and federal assistance may fall short.”
The response to Hurricane Helene reflects this sentiment. Initial relief efforts from the North Carolina General Assembly have allocated only $10 million for early childhood education out of a total of approximately $877 million in relief funding. This comes in stark contrast to the estimated $12 million needed just for repairing damaged centers. State Representative Eric Ager has acknowledged the ongoing challenges, emphasizing the need for more substantial resolutions to childcare funding.
Five months after the hurricane, Fitz experienced a positive milestone by falling asleep alone for the first time. He has also commenced individual therapy to address his trauma, a process complicated by the general shortage of mental health providers in the state. Meanwhile, Deana Lytle is reevaluating her next steps, finding it challenging to return to her previous wellness coaching and freelance work due to these personal and community crises.
“I’m not well, and I can’t tell other people how to be well,” she shared candidly. Instead, she dedicates her energy to community support initiatives.
Fitz is currently attending preschool on a scholarship, a situation his mother hopes will continue into the next academic year. If not, she fears the challenges of keeping him engaged at home before he starts kindergarten.
Source
hechingerreport.org