Air Force Family Child Care Program: Support for State Active Duty Families

The demands of military service extend beyond the individual, impacting families in profound ways. For Air National Guard (ANG) personnel serving on state active duty, balancing their commitment to service with family responsibilities, especially child care, can be a significant challenge. Recognizing this, the Department of the Air Force offers robust Air Force Family Child Care Programs designed to alleviate the financial burden of child care and ensure access to quality care for eligible families.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Air Force Family Child Care Program, specifically focusing on benefits available to Air National Guard service members on state active duty. We will explore eligibility criteria, program highlights, and the application process, ensuring you have the information needed to access these valuable resources.

Understanding the Air Force Family Child Care Program

The core mission of the Department of the Air Force Child Care Fee Assistance Programs is to support Department of Defense (DoD) military personnel by easing the tension between mission demands and family life. This is achieved by providing a system of high-quality, accessible, and affordable child care programs and services for children and youth from birth through 12 years old. For Air National Guard members activated for state duty, this program acts as a crucial support system, allowing them to focus on their responsibilities knowing their children are well cared for.

Who is Eligible for Air Force Family Child Care Assistance?

Eligibility for the Child Care Fee Assistance Programs extends to children of Air National Guard Service members while they are on state active duty. To determine if your child qualifies for care, it’s important to review the detailed eligibility criteria outlined in related resources such as the Child Development Centers fact sheet, School Age Services and Care fact sheet, and the Child & Youth Services (CYS) fact sheet. These documents provide in-depth information on specific age ranges and program requirements. Furthermore, children who are survivors of Combat Fallen Warriors are also eligible for these vital support programs.

Key Benefits of the Air Force Family Child Care Program

Many Air Force families, including those in the Air National Guard, reside in communities where on-base child care options are either limited, unavailable, or burdened by lengthy waiting lists. To address this gap, the Department of Defense has strategically partnered with national and local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, along with National Youth Organizations. These partnerships are designed to connect military families with quality child care solutions within their communities.

The cornerstone of this support system is Military Child Care (MCC). This program offers fee assistance to eligible families with children aged birth through 12 years who are enrolled in licensed, community-based child care programs located off-base. MCC plays a vital role in helping Air Force families identify and access licensed child care options in their residential areas. Crucially, it enables families to pay reduced child care fees based on their total family income, making quality care more affordable. Licensed Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Providers participate in this program across all 50 states.

For detailed information on eligibility requirements and step-by-step instructions on how to apply for fee assistance, families are encouraged to contact Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) directly at 800-424-2246 or visit their website: https://www.childcareaware.org/about/contact/. You can also find extensive information about the program on the Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) website dedicated to Air Force Fee Assistance: https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/military-families/air-force/fee-assistance/#howfeeassist.

Explore these helpful resources:

• Payment Calendar 2023 and 2024: https://www.childcareaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Air-Force-Payment-Calendar-2023-2024.pdf
• Child Care Fee Assistance Total Family Income Categories, Parent Fees and Provider Caps: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/FY24%20CCYH%20Fee%20Categories%20and%20Parent%20Fees%20MSG%20FY24.pdf

Delving Deeper into Program Options:

The Department of the Air Force Child Care Fee Assistance Programs include several specific initiatives designed to cater to different needs:

• Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN): This program focuses on providing off-base child care solutions for active duty families with children aged birth to 12. MCCYN assists Department of the Air Force families in identifying and enrolling in nationally accredited, high-quality programs within their local communities, ensuring they benefit from reduced child care fees. Families residing within a 15-mile radius or a 20-minute commute of on-installation child care facilities are required to have an active care request registered on MilitaryChildCare.com before applying for fee assistance through MCCYN. To find qualifying programs and child care providers in your area, please click here: https://www.childcareaware.org/resources/map/.

• Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS): MCCYN-PLUS represents an innovative pilot program operating in select locations across the nation. It introduces a state Quality Rating and Improvement System for licensed, center-based child care programs that are not yet nationally accredited. The primary goal of MCCYN-PLUS is to enhance the overall quality of child care available in these communities. Enrollment in MCCYN-PLUS is typically considered when nationally accredited care options are not accessible. For more detailed information, refer to the MCCYN-PLUS Fact Sheet and the MCCYN-PLUS Parent Pamphlet.

Applying for Air Force Family Child Care Fee Assistance

To initiate your request for participation in the Department of the Air Force MCCYN program for Community Child Care Fee Assistance, please follow these essential steps:

1. Create a Profile on MilitaryChildCare.com: Begin by establishing your account on MilitaryChildCare.com.

2. Submit a CDC/FCC Care Request: Within your “household profile,” formally request CDC/FCC care. This step must be completed before you can submit an application for Community Child Care Fee Assistance.

3. Accept the Fee Assistance Offer: If you are extended an offer for community child care fee assistance, it will be officially issued through MilitaryChildCare.com. The notification email will provide clear instructions on how to accept the offered space and include a direct link to the CCAoA fee assistance enrollment portal.

Formal applications can be submitted online via the Child Care Aware of America Fee Assistance Program Website: https://faps.americasteamforchildcare.org/Default.aspx.

You will receive email notifications when a child care opening becomes available for your child or children. It is crucial not to submit or upload any supporting documents to your fee assistance account until you have received an official offer. Commonly required documents typically include:

• LES/CLES (Leave and Earnings Statement/Comprehensive Leave and Earnings Statement)
• Orders/SF-50 (Standard Form 50)
• Spouse pay stubs/school schedule/ Looking for Work Form (valid for a limited period)
• 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 specific requirements of MCCYN or MCCYN-PLUS (in pilot locations), it is recommended to contact a specialist at CCAoA for personalized assistance.

Enhanced Referral for the National Capital Region

For military families stationed in or relocating to the National Capital Region (NCR), an Enhanced Referral service is available. Eligible military sponsors seeking child care in the NCR can receive customized support from Child Care Aware® specialists by calling 1-800-424-2246.

This Enhanced Referral service provides a tailored child care search, considering factors such as parents’ work and home addresses, commuting routes, required hours of care, children’s ages, and provider eligibility for fee assistance programs. Military sponsors utilizing the Enhanced Referral service also gain access to providers within the CCAoA preferred provider network, which currently encompasses nearly 3,500 pre-approved MCCYN providers.

Additional Resources

For further information and detailed guidance on the Air Force Family Child Care Program, please consult these valuable resources:

• 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-financial-assistance
• Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) Fee Assistance Program: https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/mccyn/air-force

Document Review Date: 11 March 2024