Many active duty military members live in communities where no military childcare is available or where there are long waiting lists for on-base childcare and school age programs. The Department of Defense asked the NCCCRRA to partner with state and local child care resource and referral agencies to refer military families to nationally accredited child care/school age programs and help additional programs in selected communities become accredited. Families/child guardians of National Guard and Reserve Service members activated/deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism are eligible to participate during the period of the Military Parent's deployment period and for 30 days after the return of the Military Parent. Families/child guardians of deployed Active Duty Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who are unable to access care on military installations are eligible during the deployment period and for 60 days after the return of the Military Parent. The subsidy program is intended to help support military spouses' employment, education, or special medical circumstances. Subsidies will only be provided to single parent families, families with a working spouse, or one who is enrolled in school. It will also be provided to families where the spouse is looking for work for a period of 60 calendar days. WHY is Child Care needed? When Military Parents are activated/deployed, their need for child care often increases and so do their out-of-pocket child care expenses. HOW does Operation: Military Child Care support Activated/Deployed parents? This initiative helps eligible military families locate affordable childcare options in local communities. Military families who are using licensed/legally operating community-based child care programs and providers will pay reduced fees. Military families living near installations will be referred to onbase childcare programs. HOW much will fees be reduced? Fee reductions will vary for each family depending upon Total Family Income (TFI), geographic location, Military Service/DOD child care fee policies, and available funding. Family circumstances are considered when determining fees. HOW does eligible military families apply for Operation: Military Child Care reduced fee childcare? Military member, spouse, or legal guardian contacts Child Care Aware toll-free at 1-800-424-2246 or via the web at www.childcareaware.org. There is an online subsidy application available from the site found on the “Operation Military Child Care” page. Staff from the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) collects information from the Military Member, family member, or legal guardian to determine eligibility and child care needs. Callers also receive tips on selecting quality childcare. Callers who need child care will be linked to their local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for referrals to legally operating child care program(s) in their area or to the nearest military installation. Callers with children already enrolled in a legally operating child care program, may submit an online application for reduced childcare fees. The child care providers or child care centers will be required to submit an application to determine if they are legally operating. Applications will be processed within 1 to 5 business days after receipt of the families' and provider's application. The reduced fee becomes effective after application processing. Fee reductions vary depending upon Military Member's Total Family Income (TFI), geographic location, Military and DOD child care fee policy, and funding availability. NACCRRA will pay the "fee offset" directly to the provider. Service Members will pay their "reduced fee" directly to their childcare provider. References: |
