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K–5 · Asheville & Buncombe County
Resources for Students and Families
These resources are picked for elementary students (K–5) and their families in Asheville and Buncombe County. Local and North Carolina options come first. If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to me and I’ll help you find the right fit.
In an emergency, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
Look for Español to find resources with help in Spanish. Busque Español para encontrar recursos con ayuda en español.
01
Academic
| Resource | What it offers | Where |
| Buncombe County Public Libraries | Free library cards, story times, e-books, and audiobooks. Ask a librarian for help: 828-250-4741 | Asheville and Buncombe County |
| NC Kids Digital Library | Free e-books and audiobooks for kids, available with your library card | North Carolina |
| Literacy Together | After-school and summer reading support for grades K–5 | Asheville |
| Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe | Free one-on-one reading tutoring for students in grades K–3 at Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools | Asheville and Buncombe County |
| PBS North Carolina | Free learning videos, games, and family activities | North Carolina |
02
College and career
In elementary school, career exploration is about curiosity: noticing what your child loves and learning about the people who do that work.
| Resource | What it offers | Where |
| Asheville Museum of Science | Hands-on science exhibits, a STEM lab, and kids’ camps | Downtown Asheville |
| CFNC (College Foundation of North Carolina) | For parents: start saving for college with an NC 529 plan. Planning tools for later grades too | North Carolina |
| NASA Kids’ Club | Space and science career games for pre-K through grade 4 | Online |
| Resource | What it offers | Where |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC | Free one-on-one mentoring, including school-based mentoring for elementary students | Western North Carolina |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Asheville Region | After-school program at Woodfin Elementary (K–4), with more Asheville sites opening. Homework help, activities, and mentoring | Asheville |
| Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County | Family support, after-school programs, and help connecting to basic needs | Buncombe County |
| MAHEC school-based therapy | Counseling at school for students who need ongoing support. Ask me about a referral: 828-686-7734 | Buncombe County schools |
| Vaya Health | Help finding mental health services in western NC, especially for families with Medicaid or no insurance: 1-800-849-6127 | Western North Carolina |
| Second Step for Families | Free videos and lessons on feelings, friendships, and problem-solving to use at home. Español: bilingual resources | Online |
| Sesame Workshop resources | Free videos and storybooks on big feelings, grief, divorce, and family changes. Best for grades K–1 | Online |
Some children need ongoing counseling outside of school. I’m happy to help you choose. This list is for information only and is not an endorsement. Please check insurance, fees, and whether a provider sees children before you schedule.
Low-cost and community options
| Resource | What it offers | Contact |
| Western NC Community Health Services | Behavioral health care for families with or without insurance | 828-285-0622 |
| All Souls Counseling Center | Low-cost nonprofit counseling for people with little or no insurance. Call to ask about services for children | 828-259-3369 |
| NAMI Western NC | Free education and support groups for parents of children with mental health needs | 828-505-7353 |
Child and family providers in the Asheville area
| Provider | Contact |
| MAHEC Center for Psychiatry and Mental Wellness | 828-398-3601 |
| Blue Ridge Health (Arden) | 828-698-2979 |
Search on your own: Psychology Today lets you filter therapists by age, insurance, and language. Latinx Therapy lists Spanish-speaking therapists (Español).
| Hotline | Number | Who it’s for |
| Emergency | 911 | Anyone in immediate danger |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Call or text 988. Español: call and press 2, or text AYUDA to 988 | Anyone in emotional distress or a mental health crisis, including parents worried about a child |
| Vaya Health crisis and access line | 1-800-849-6127 | Western NC families needing crisis help or mental health services |
| RHA Mobile Crisis | 1-888-573-1006 | Families who need a crisis counselor to come to them, instead of going to the ER |
| Disaster Distress Helpline | Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Español: call and press 2 | Children and adults feeling stress after Hurricane Helene or another disaster |
| Buncombe County Child Protective Services | 828-250-5900 | Anyone who suspects a child is being abused or neglected |
| Helpmate | 828-254-0516 | Families affected by domestic violence in Buncombe County. Español |
| Our VOICE | 828-255-7576 | Survivors of sexual violence and their families in Buncombe County |
| Crisis Text Line | Text HOME to 741741. Español: text AYUDA to 741741, or WhatsApp 442-AYUDAME | Anyone who prefers texting |
