Head Start is a federally funded, comprehensive preschool program designed to meet the emotional, social, health, nutritional, and psychological needs of children aged 3 to 5 and their families. Children are provided breakfast, lunch and a snack, and receive free medical and dental care. Services are also provided to meet the special needs of children with disabilities. Eligibility for this free program is based on income and other factors. Head Start programs in Camden, Currituck, Gates and Pasquotank counties are administered by the Economic Improvement Council, Inc. Contact EIC for information about a Head Start program near you.

A community college serving northeastern North Carolina.

A community college serving Bertie and Martin counties.

Even Start is a comprehensive family literacy program designed to help parents improve their literacy, math and parenting skills, enabling them to fully participate in their children’s education. The program is led by a full-time family literacy educator employed by the Bertie County School System. Even Start classes are held at C.G. White Preschool

This agency serves victims of family violence, sexual assault and teen dating violence in Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Perquimans and Pasquotank counties. Hopeline offers free individual and group counseling and emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis counseling telephone line and educational programs, courtroom advocacy and volunteer training. In an emergency, call 911.

Assistance in finding housing, rental assistance, housing counseling, weatherization programs, and assistance to those who live in substandard housing.

Assistance in finding housing, rental assistance, housing counseling, weatherization programs, and assistance to those who live in substandard housing.

Tabernacle of Faith is an outreach shelter for women.

The American Red Cross provides food, clothing and shelter to families after a fire, and greatly expands its services after a natural disaster. In addition, classes are offered in disaster preparation classes, CPR and First Aid, lifeguarding and babysitting.

This agency serves victims of family violence, sexual assault and teen dating violence in Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Perquimans and Pasquotank counties. Hopeline offers free individual and group counseling and emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis counseling telephone line and educational programs, courtroom advocacy and volunteer training. In an emergency, call 911.

Child Support Enforcement assists in establishing child support orders and collecting child support. Call or email for information, customer service or local contact information.

The North Carolina Division of Social Services, a part of the N. C. Department of Health and Human Services, serves each of North Carolina’s 100 counties through a local department of social services office. The Division of Social Services offers programs and benefits to North Carolina residents who meet certain eligibility requirements. Services include Medicaid, Health Choice, child care subsidy, emergency assistance, food and nutrition services, Work First assistance, adoption and child placement services and child protective services. Before visiting social services, it’s a good idea to call and find out what documents you need to bring, and find out if an appointment is necessary

The North Carolina Division of Social Services, a part of the N. C. Department of Health and Human Services, serves each of North Carolina’s 100 counties through a local department of social services office. The Division of Social Services offers programs and benefits to North Carolina residents who meet certain eligibility requirements. Services include Medicaid, Health Choice, child care subsidy, emergency assistance, food and nutrition services, Work First assistance, adoption and child placement services and child protective services. Before visiting social services, it’s a good idea to call and find out what documents you need to bring, and find out if an appointment is necessary

North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Family and Consumer Education program offers parenting resources and programs, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education programs help teens and adults learn to prepare healthy meals while stretching their food dollars, programs promoting healthy diets and physical activity along with information on energy conservation, budgeting and financial management, employability skills, managing stress and other topics. Not all offices have the same programs

North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Family and Consumer Education program offers parenting resources and programs, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education programs help teens and adults learn to prepare healthy meals while stretching their food dollars, programs promoting healthy diets and physical activity along with information on energy conservation, budgeting and financial management, employability skills, managing stress and other topics. Not all offices have the same programs

North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Family and Consumer Education program offers parenting resources and programs, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education programs help teens and adults learn to prepare healthy meals while stretching their food dollars, programs promoting healthy diets and physical activity along with information on energy conservation, budgeting and financial management, employability skills, managing stress and other topics. Not all offices have the same programs

A registered nurse, who is also a certified lactation specialist, makes home visits to new mothers to make sure mother and baby get off to a good start. Albemarle Hospital provides Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support for families to meet the needs of expecting parents throughout all stages of their pregnancy; all programs are currently free of charge. Breastfeeding Classes, Childbirth Education, Sibling Classes, and Mother Baby mornings.

Area hospital

Area hospital

Area hospital

Area hospital

Provides health care services, and offers financial assistance for patients who have been pre-approved. Call for days and hours of operation. Bertie County Rural Health Association is next to Bertie Memorial Hospital

Gates County Medical Center provides primary care services for all ages. Medical specialists through Albemarle Hospital and laboratory services and x-rays are also available

Licensed pharmacists and fourth-year pharmacy students can answer questions about side effects and drug interactions of prescription medications. Free general health consultations are also available with a pharmacist

Help for people struggling with drug abuse.

Albemarle Regional Health Services, which provides public health services to Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Perquimans and Pasquotank counties, has a variety of programs to help families and children access medical care. Before you go, call your county health department for clinic hours, to find out if an appointment is necessary, and what documents, if any, you should bring with you

Albemarle Regional Health Services, which provides public health services to Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Perquimans and Pasquotank counties, has a variety of programs to help families and children access medical care. Before you go, call your county health department for clinic hours, to find out if an appointment is necessary, and what documents, if any, you should bring with you

The JobLink system provides services to employers and job seekers. Services for job seekers include employment and training services, including basic job keeping skills, help with improving basic education skills and occupational skills training. Job search and job placement assistance services are also available. North Carolina Employment Security Commission provides job referral and placement, counseling, services for veterans, unemployment insurance and other services.

The Effective Black Parenting program is a skill building program developed for African-American parents. The content is derived from the writings of African-American parenting scholars, from research with African American parents, and from adaptations of parenting skills that have been found to be helpful in raising children of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Call or check the calendar for information class dates, times and locations.

Parents as Teachers is a free, in-home program for expectant mothers and parents of young children from birth to kindergarten. The program is offered in Camden, Currituck, Gates and Pasquotank counties through Albemarle Smart Start Partnership. Families who enroll in the program receive monthly or twice monthly visits from a trained parent educator. During these visits parents are given information about child development and engage in activities appropriate to their child.

A father's group that offers men an opportunity to meet with other fathers to talk about any issues that are important to them. Call or visit the calendar for information about dates, times and locations.

This program, operated by the Choanoke Area Development Association, is designed to promote responsible fatherhood, strengthen families and enhance nurturing environments for children. Case management, community services, educational workshops and support services are available. The program is offered in Bertie County.

The Bertie County YMCA offers sports programs, health and wellness programs and activities.

Programs and activities year-round. Admission fee.

Largest natural living sand dune on the East Coast. Hang gliding, kite flying, hiking, museum, picnic facilities and programs.

Exhibit hall, auditorium and waterfowl decoy gallery. Educational programs and activities.

Nationally recognized collection of Native American artifacts

Creatures from around the world, programs for young children through senior citizens.

Exhibits, interactive activities, exotic aquarium life, touch pools and shark petting. The USS Wisconsin is berthed next to Nauticus and is open for main deck tours.

Interactive exhibits and a planetarium.

Community libraries offer resources for parents, books and video materials for children and many libraries offer story hours. Libraries can offer a range of services and materials that can promote emergent literacy in young children.

Community libraries offer resources for parents, books and video materials for children and many libraries offer story hours. Libraries can offer a range of services and materials that can promote emergent literacy in young children.

Across from Livermon Park, a 1,800-foot walkway to the Cashie River and fishing pier with a boardwalk through the marshland.

Interprets the natural and cultural history of the lower Roanoke River area.

Constructed as a major addition to the Camden County Historical Society in 1966, the two-story museum showcases exhibits about life in the region during the last three centuries. Many of the artifacts and craft workshops on display directly complement various educational programs.

The Corolla lighthouse and keepers home are open for tours. Nearby is the Whalehead Club, with a pedestrian footbridge, picnic tables, and a gazebo overlooking the Currituck Sound.

The museum tells the story of the Albemarle region’s watermen, farmers, lifesavers, and soldiers.

Locally grown produce, arts, crafts and music. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, May through October.

The Dismal Swamp State Park and Visitor’s Center is a state park with exhibits, a boardwalk that allows visitors to get a feel for the swamp without having to get off the beaten path and the platform allows a group to gather, look, listen and learn together. Park staff offer regularly scheduled interpretive programs for groups or classes, whether at the park or outreach. The park has hiking and biking trails, bike rentals for visitors to enjoy nature, and canoe/kayak rentals for those visitors who want to enjoy the canal.

For support following a diagnosis of a child’s disability, contact the Family Support Network (FSN) of Northeastern NC The network offers programs and resources to help parents navigate the maze of referrals, evaluations, Individual Education Plans (I.E.P.) and special circumstances that become part of the daily routine for families of a child with special needs. The Parent to Parent Support Program offers families who have just learned their child has a special need an opportunity to talk one-on-one with a parent who has a child with a similar disability. Parent to Parent Support is available for families of children with special needs who would benefit from support from someone who has been there.

Services for children birth to 5 who have visual impairments.

Education and support to empower parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing

Information and support for people with Autism.

ECAC is a non-profit organization that provides information and resources to the families of children with disabilities in North Carolina

A fathers group that meets twice monthly for men to talk with other fathers.