RESOURCES
FOR FAMILIES

Browse the icons below for resources

Local Resources National Resources Early Intervention Family Services Resiliency Activities for Home

Local Resources

2-1-1 – Great resource for help and information in Buncombe County.
Asheville Mamas – Group forum for Asheville mamas.
Asheville Parks and Recreation
Attic Salt Theater – Has $5 shows for kids on Saturdays.
B.E.A.R. Closet – Baby Equipment and Resource Closet.
Black Mountain Parks and Recreation
Buncombe County Library website: Storytimes and Toddler Times, Event Calendar
Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County
Family Friendly Asheville- local facebook page that lists family friendly events every day
Division of Child Development and Early Education
La Leche League of Buncombe County
Macaroni Kid Asheville – Weekly local newsletter of kid-friendly events and activities.
Mountain Xpress online calendar
Triple P Parenting: Positive Parenting Program– a toolbox of ideas for parents
WNC Parent – Western North Carolina’s premier parenting resource.
Resource List from How to Talk to Your Children About Race
Book List from Claxton Social Justice Leagues Talking to Your Kids about Race

State & National Resources

Be Active Kids is all about fun activities that keep children and their parents/caregivers moving.
Child Mind Institute
Healthychildren.org (powered by the American Academy of Pediatrics) for information about the health and well-being of young children.
NAEYC’s website offers information about a wide variety of topics related to parenting—from biting to transitioning to preschool, from meaningful play to tips about understanding your child.
Natural Learning Initiative provides some ideas for creating healthy environments.
NC 2-1-1 is a free call that connects you with a network of resources in NC — Just dial 2-1-1 from your phone
New Mom Health is a hub of evidence-based, expert-written, reality-centered postpartum health information from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Schools of Medicine and Social Work
Triple P Parenting System is a free parenting program you can do from home

Early Intervention Services

Do you have concerns about your child’s development?

Early intervention services are available for children with language, emotional, behavioral, and/or physical development needs.

If your child is 0-3:

Call the Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA)

(828) 251-6091

CDSA will evaluate your child at no charge, and if eligible will:

Develop a special plan for your child and family
Provide and/or arrange needed services (such as speech, physical and occupational therapy, social-emotional support and special instruction)
Deliver all services in the home and/or other community setting

If your child is 3 or older:

Call your local school system’s Exceptional Children’s Program:

Asheville City Schools

(828)-774-8785

Buncombe County Schools

(828)-255-5980

If your child qualifies, this program will:

Evaluate your child
Develop a special education plan for your child called an Individual Education Program (IEP)
Provide special services for your child at child care or other suitable location
Provide special education and related support services

Download Flyer about Early Intervention Services

Services for Families

Access Family Services

(828) 670-7723

Access Family Services, Inc. (AFS) is a behavioral health agency that delivers culturally sensitive behavioral health services to individuals and families.

Caring for Children

(828) 785-1590

Caring for Children is an organization with diverse programs and services that meets the needs of more than 1,800 children and families annually. Services include residential, family supports, foster care, and mental health.

Family Preservation Services

(828) 225-8225

Works with youth and their families during times of behavioral and/or emotional difficulties and empower them to identify and access available resources to address current problems.

FIRST

(828) 277-1315

FIRST, a resource center connecting persons with disabilities and their families with the resources they need to thrive in the community.

Mission Family Support Network

(828) 213-9740

Provides support, information and education to families who care for children with or at risk of different abilities.

NC Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers (known locally as CDSA)

(828) 251-6091

CDSA offers evaluation, treatment, service coordination, and consultation services to families of children birth to 36 months of age with developmental disabilities or delays.

Vaya Health

(828) 225-2785 (local) or 1-800-893-6246 (toll-free)

Vaya Health ensures those who need treatment receive the right care, in the right amount, at the right time. These services are delivered by a network of high-quality providers who contract with Vaya Health.

Resiliency

Resources for Resilience

Trauma Resource Institute

Facing COVID-19 with Community Instead of Fear

Managing Anxiety and Stress During COVID-19

Finding Calm in the Storm

Grounding Techniques

Resiliency Help Now: Activities

Activities for Home

Are you a caregiver of a kiddo birth-five? Kaleidoscope Play & Learn is sending out emails with ideas for fun things to do at home with their children. They will also have the opportunity to submit photos of their children participating in at-home activities and see photos submitted by other families. To sign up, caregivers should email Marna for ages 3-5 (marna.holland@acsgmail.net) or Grace for infants & toddlers (grace.ragaller@acsgmail.net) directly.

Rhoda’s Rock Hunt (readaloud) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gNiF_VEq1c

Scribble Stones by Diane Alber (readaloud)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmxjQoV-w20&t=75s

Be A Rock Detective (4:22 video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmxjQoV-w20&t=75s

43 second animated video about being a geologist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7bho2bDG2k

10+ Rock Crafts & Activities for Kids

https://happyhooligans.ca/10-stone-activities-for-kids/

Leaf Printing on Rocks craft

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/546624473522200080/

10 Ways to Play with Rocks

https://mrsplemonskindergarten.com/2017/06/10-ways-to-play-with-rocks-sensory-summer.html

Easy Chalk and Rock Activities for Preschoolers

https://thepreschooltoolboxblog.com/easy-chalk-and-rocks-activities-for-preschoolers-outdoor-playful-learning/

Read at Home Bingo

The Green Grass Grew All Around (song) Remember this song? A childhood classic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnVq2YRpbQc

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes for Trees (song) A catchy way to remember the parts of trees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJqy967xs1c

45 Tree Activities for Young Kids

https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/tree-activities-for-kids.html

A Variety of Tree Crafts for Little Kids

https://www.pinterest.ca/familythemeday/tree-crafts-and-arbor-day-projects-for-kids/

Forest Theme Activities

https://www.prekinders.com/forest-theme/

Hyperion: The World’s Tallest Tree (5 minutes-Sci Show Kids)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UErOeqyJxFo

Life as a Tree: The Story of Tree Rings (5 minutes-Sci Show Kids) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwNJC-IRgPE

Who Will Plant a Tree? (read aloud). We normally read this book in our class together. Here is a way to enjoy it at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy0H3Eciy5g

Tree Puppet

Spring/Fall Leaves

Ideas for Keeping Kids Busy on Rainy Days

Evolve Early Learning’s Digital Playschool

50 Indoor Activities for a Rainy Day

Play in the Rain!

Rain and Raindrop Crafts for Kids

Weather Song For Kids

Worms for Kids (a little worm science)

Ideas for Fun at Home or Outside

Illinois Early Learning Tip Sheets

CELL Early Learning Guides