Balancing military duties with family life can be challenging, especially for Air National Guard service members on state active duty. Recognizing these demands, the Department of the Air Force offers robust Child Care Fee Assistance Programs designed to provide access to quality and affordable child care. This guide will walk you through the Air Force Child Care Subsidy Program, ensuring you understand the benefits, eligibility, and how to apply for this valuable resource.
Understanding the Air Force Child Care Subsidy Program
The primary mission of the Air Force Child Care Fee Assistance Programs is to support Department of Defense (DoD) military personnel by easing the financial burden of child care. This program ensures that eligible children and youth, from birth through 12 years of age, have access to quality care, enabling service members to focus on their critical missions without compromising family well-being. By partnering with organizations like Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA), the Air Force extends its reach to communities where on-base child care options may be limited or unavailable.
Who is Eligible for the Air Force Child Care Subsidy Program?
Children of Air National Guard service members on state active duty are eligible for the Child Care Fee Assistance Programs. This program aims to support families during periods of service that require state active duty. For detailed information regarding child care eligibility, you can refer to these resources:
- Child Development Centers fact sheet
- School Age Services and Care fact sheet
- Child & Youth Services (CYS) fact sheet
Additionally, children who are survivors of Combat Fallen Warriors are also eligible for these programs, highlighting the Air Force’s commitment to supporting families through various circumstances.
Exploring the Benefits: What the Subsidy Program Offers
Many Air Force families reside in areas where on-base child care facilities are either unavailable or have extensive waiting lists. To address this, the DoD has established partnerships with Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and National Youth Organizations. The cornerstone of this support system is the Military Child Care (MCC) program.
Military Child Care (MCC)
The Military Child Care (MCC) program is designed to provide fee assistance for eligible families who enroll their children, from birth to 12 years, in licensed off-base community-based child care programs. MCC assists military families in locating licensed child care options in their vicinity and enables them to pay reduced child care fees based on their total family income. This program is available across all 50 states, ensuring broad accessibility.
For specific eligibility criteria and detailed application instructions for fee assistance, please reach out to Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) at 800-424-2246 or visit their contact page at https://www.childcareaware.org/about/contact/. You can find more comprehensive information about the program on the Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) website: Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA).
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN)
The Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program offers off-base child care solutions for active duty families with children aged birth to 12. MCCYN focuses on connecting Department of the Air Force families with quality, nationally accredited programs within their communities, allowing them to benefit from reduced fees.
Families living within a 15-mile radius or 20-minute commute of on-installation child care are required to have an active request for care registered on MilitaryChildCare.com before applying for fee assistance through MCCYN.
To find a qualifying program and child care provider in your local area, click here.
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS)
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) is an innovative pilot program currently available in select locations nationwide. MCCYN-PLUS utilizes a state Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for licensed, center-based child care programs that are not yet nationally accredited. This initiative aims to elevate the quality of child care available in communities and is considered when nationally accredited care is not accessible.
For more details, you can refer to the MCCYN-PLUS Fact Sheet and the MCCYN-PLUS Parent Pamphlet.
How to Apply for the Air Force Child Care Subsidy Program
To initiate your application for the Department of the Air Force MCCYN program for Community Child Care Fee Assistance, follow these steps:
- Create a Profile on MilitaryChildCare.com: Begin by setting up your profile at MilitaryChildCare.com.
- Request CDC/FCC Care: Within your “household profile,” submit a request for CDC/FCC (Child Development Center/Family Child Care) care. This step must be completed before applying for Community Child Care Fee Assistance.
- Accept the Fee Assistance Offer: If you are offered community child care fee assistance, the offer will be communicated through MilitaryChildCare.com. The notification email will provide instructions on accepting the offer and a direct link to the CCAoA fee assistance enrollment portal.
Applications can be submitted online through the Child Care Aware of America Fee Assistance Program Website.
You will receive an email notification when a child care opening becomes available for your child(ren). Important: Do not submit or upload any supporting documents to your fee assistance account until you have received an official offer. Commonly required documents include:
- LES/CLES (Leave and Earnings Statement/Combat Leave and Earnings Statement)
- Orders/SF-50 (Standard Form 50 – Notification of Personnel Action)
- Spouse pay stubs/school schedule/ Looking for Work Form (valid for 90 days, one-time use)
- Self-certification Form
- Installation Child Care Request Form
- Provider Cost Verification Form
- Provider Application documents
If you encounter difficulties in finding a provider that meets the requirements for MCCYN or MCCYN-PLUS (in pilot locations), reach out to a specialist at CCAoA for personalized assistance.
Enhanced Referral for the National Capital Region
For families seeking child care in the National Capital Region, an Enhanced Referral service is available. Qualifying military sponsors can receive customized child care searches by contacting Child Care Aware® at 1-800-424-2246. This service considers factors like work and home addresses, commute routes, care hours, children’s ages, and provider eligibility for fee assistance. Enhanced Referrals also provide access to providers within the CCAoA preferred provider network, which includes nearly 3,500 pre-approved MCCYN providers.
Key Resources and Additional Information
For further information and resources, please visit the following links:
- Child Care Aware Fee Assistance: https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/military-families/air-force/fee-assistance/
- Administration for Children and Families Website: https://www.childcare.gov/consumer-education/military-child-care-fee-assistance-programs
- Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) Fee Assistance Program: https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/mccyn/air-force
By leveraging the Air Force Child Care Subsidy Program, Air National Guard families on state active duty can access quality, affordable child care, ensuring peace of mind and enabling them to focus on their important service to our nation.
