Supporting Families Most Impacted by Federal Policy Changes
We are here to support communities navigating changes in federal policies and actions. This post is a growing collection of helpful resources, which we will continue to update as new information becomes available. We hope this serves as a reliable place to find support and guidance whenever you need it.
Navigating a Changing Federal Policy Climate
Recent policy changes have left many in our community facing uncertainty and concern. This section provides clear, up-to-date information to help you feel prepared and informed.
Executive Orders Affecting Charity Non-Profits, National Council on Nonprofits
After his January 20th inauguration, President Trump signed dozens of Executive Orders (EOs) covering a broad range of issues, including diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; government grants and contracts; civic engagement; immigration; and certain nonprofit subsectors. Some of the EOs won’t take effect immediately, and many are expected to be immediately challenged in court. This chart, which is updated regularly, outlines some of the EOs that may affect nonprofits directly or indirectly.
Executive Orders & Public Health Practice: FAQs, Act for Public Health
In response to the recent flurry of federal executive orders, Act for Public Health presents these FAQs to help readers understand executive orders, the goals and limits of their application, and how public health practitioners might think about them. While executive orders can be issued at all levels of government (federal, state, and local), this explainer focuses only on federal executive orders.
Local Resources & Organizations
Stay connected and informed with community resources and local Durham organizations that support health and well-being. Whether you’re looking for services, workshops, or ways to engage with your community, here’s what’s happening near you!
El Futuro: Community-based Latino Mental Health Resources
- Time of Crisis Videos – Find here useful videos with information about stigma reduction and grounding techniques.
- Mental Health Resources in Times of Change – Read here for resources and links to learn how to provide support during times of change.
- North Carolina Mental Health Resource List – This link will bring you to a list of organizations and resources available to support Latine mental health in North Carolina with a phone number, location, website, and payment information.
- La Mesita – This is a free Latine Mental Health Professional Network. This is a great way to stay connected. You can use this to ask questions about resources, share opportunities, and to network with others who might be able to meet your needs. Over 2000 providers representing every county in NC and the majority of states are part of the network.
Rainbow Collective for Change (RCC)
Rainbow Collective for Change NC is building safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse children and families in Durham, NC and surrounding areas, and aims to raise a generation of inclusive and anti-racist humans. RCC provides LGBTQIA+ families with meaningful opportunities to connect with each other and engage in advocacy and activism as a collective. Events are available on their website and Facebook.
LGBTQ Center of Durham Resource List
The LGBTQ Center of Durham commits to centering the experiences of those who are the most marginalized among us. With a history of providing services supplementing this commitment, they continue to strive to set an example for other communities and organizations to prioritize lifting families up. They have put together this comprehensive resource list of individuals, businesses, associations, and organizations that have expressed interest in support for the local LGBTQ+ Community.
Radical Healing Durham
At its heart, Radical Healing is a tribute and love letter to the collective care and wisdom of BIPOC, queer and trans folx. It is a center for healing, self-love, and joy, where clients and visitors can delve into individual and group therapy, receive primary care services, and participate in art and expressive movement – as well as garden, gather, and connect! Click on the picture below to see their community gatherings and group offerings.
Triangle Disability & Autism Services
Triangle Disability & Autism Services supports children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and autism in the achievement of their personal goals and dreams in our community through partnership and advocacy. Their vision is an inclusive, accessible community where every person thrives. They offer a wide range of services, including disability inclusive mental health counseling, community programs, and summer camp.
CANDOR (Chronically-ill, Autistic, Neuro-Eclectic, Disabled Organization for Reclamation)
CANDOR is an Autistic, Multiply-Divergent, Chronically-ill, and Disabled-led and run organization. They work to actively interrupt traditional structures of organizing and instill collective decision-making processes amongst those doing the daily work and those who hold the identity of whom they serve and listen. CANDOR has monthly events and programming to create community and work toward disability justice.
EPiC (Empowered Parents in Community)
EPiC is a Black-led, community-rooted, decolonizing, collaborative, strength-based organization unapologetically focused on Black children and their success at school and in life. They are a non-profit organization that’s cultivating Black leadership through collective organization and advocating for accountability at all levels to close the educational opportunity gap. EPiC has robust programming to support black children and families, including listening sessions, community conversations, and collectives.
TRY (Together for Resilient Youth)
TRY is a grassroots coalition focused on preventing substance use, violence, and chronic disease by addressing the root causes of behavioral and physical health challenges in youth and adults. Founded in Durham, TRY uses evidence-based strategies to mobilize communities and foster collaboration across sectors, including youth, parents, schools, faith leaders, and healthcare professionals. With deep roots in underserved communities, TRY implements a wide range of programs designed to increase resilience and reduce community risk factors through equitable engagement, advocacy, mobilization, and collective impact.
Resources for Impacted Communities
Whether you’re looking for legal support or reliable information, these resources are here to help community members navigate difficulties associated with recent policy changes. Find the guidance and support you need here.
Resources for Talking to Your Kids about These Stressful Times
Children pick up on uncertainty, and it can be difficult to know how to support them through challenging times. These resources offer guidance on having age-appropriate conversations, providing reassurance, and helping children feel safe and understood.
- Talking to Kids About Fear and Violence – Mental Health America
- Assisting Parents/Caregivers in Coping with Collective Traumas – National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators – National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Here for Each Other: Family Guide for Helping After Emergencies – Sesame Workshop
- Offering Comfort to Young Kids (ages 1 – 6) – Sesame Workshop
Familias Seguras: Guía de emergencia para inmigrantes, El Pueblo
El Pueblo, a local Latine immigrant rights organization, announced the release of a Spanish-language emergency guide, Familias Seguras: Guia de emergencia para inmigrantes (Safe Families: An Emergency Guide for Immigrants). This free resource can inform Latine immigrant families about their rights and how to prepare for possible detention or deportation in response to the fear generated by immigration operations. Another resource that is available in English and Spanish is An Emergency Planning Guide for North Carolina’s Immigrant Community from the North Carolina Justice Center. This guide was created in 2017.
Health Care Providers and Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights, Know Your Patients’ Rights, National Immigration Law Center
The threat of immigration enforcement raises concerns among immigrant families, some of whom may forego necessary medical services out of fear that they could be putting themselves and their family members at risk. This factsheet from the National Immigration Law Center provides advice to hospitals, medical centers, community health centers, other health care facilities, and advocates on how to prepare for and respond to (a) enforcement actions by immigration officials and (b) interactions with law enforcement that could result in immigration consequences for their patients.
Know Your Rights: Immigrants’ Rights, American Civil Liberties Union
Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. Learn more here about your rights as an immigrant, and how to express them. This resource was published by the ACLU.
Toolkit: Protecting Immigrant Families Facing Deportation, Children Thrive Action Network
Children Thrive Action Network created this toolkit, which is being updated on an ongoing basis, to serve two purposes: help service providers and community members speak out against immigration enforcement that harms children in immigrant families AND help parents, service providers, and community members protect families at risk of being torn apart by immigration enforcement.
Nurturing Families & Building Community
Caring for our families and building strong communities go hand in hand. This section includes resources for childcare, community gatherings, and trauma-informed trainings. Together, we can create spaces of support, understanding, and resilience.
Entre colegas… Dialogues between Behavioral Health Providers of Latinos, Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence
Do you provide behavioral health services to Latino populations as part of a community-based organization? Participating in these dialogues allows you to listen, converse, and learn more about effective and culturally informed practices with Latino populations. This virtual activity is scheduled for the last week of each month, every other month. It will feature a guest specialist facilitating the discussion on a particular topic of Latino behavioral health. Register here.
Head Start & Early Head Start, Families and Communities Rising (FCR)
FCR Head Start & Early Head Start, a no cost childcare program, is accepting applications for its 2025-2026 school year. The Early Head Start program offers home-based services to pregnant women and children up to 2 years of age and it offers center-based services to children ages 6 weeks up to 2 years of age. The Head Start program offers center-based services to children 3 years of age and offers center-based Pre-K services to children 4 years of age. Applications are now open on their website in English and Spanish.
Durham PreK Applications Open
The 2025-2026 Durham PreK Application is now open! All children living in Durham County and who will turn 4 years old by August 31, 2025 are eligible to apply. A child’s birthdate should be between 9/1/20 to 8/31/21.
DCo Thrives, Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, Launching Soon!
DCo Thrives is a guaranteed income pilot program that will distribute no-strings attached funds to 125 families for 12 months. In August 2023, the Durham County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously approved $1.69 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the DCo Thrives guaranteed income pilot program. This program is founded on the belief that people living on low incomes are best positioned to make financial decisions to address their households’ needs. DCo Thrives has a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) design so that the impact of guaranteed income payments can be studied. Sign up to be notified when DCo Thrives applications open.
Advanced Training in Trauma Practice through a Racial Equity Lens, The National Initiative for Trauma Education and Workforce Development, online, self-paced
This training is a sequel to the online course referenced below. Each 4-hour session provides a facilitated, synchronous learning experience for practicing clinicians interested in applying the common trauma informed practice elements using a racial equity lens. Each session is worth 4 CEs, and all three sessions provide a total of 12 CEs for social workers, psychologists or licensed mental health counselors.
Core Components and Skills for Trauma Informed Practice, The National Initiative for Trauma Education and Workforce Development, online, self-paced
This course promotes the understanding and use of 12 common evidence and trauma-informed practice elements, such as trauma assessment, safety planning, and behavioral interventions, for use in the treatment of children, youth, and families exposed to trauma. The practice elements are introduced through three case vignettes developed by nationally-recognized trauma experts and are filmed with therapists and clients varying by age, race, ethnicity, and gender. Case discussions are facilitated by Drs. Virginia Strand and Sarah E. (Betsy) Bledsoe.
