Finding reliable and affordable child care is a significant concern for many families, and this is especially true for Army families who face unique challenges due to deployments, frequent relocations, and demanding schedules. Fortunately, the Army and the Department of Defense offer a range of comprehensive child care programs designed to support military families, ensuring their children receive quality care, whether they are stationed on base or living in surrounding communities.
MilitaryChildCare.com (MCC): Your Central Hub for Army Child Care
For Army families seeking on-installation child care, MilitaryChildCare.com (MCC) serves as the primary online platform to explore and request care. MCC provides a worldwide search tool for all military-run child care options. This user-friendly website allows Army parents to find programs that meet their specific needs, from child development centers and family child care homes to school-age care. Army families are required to submit their child care requests through MCC to enroll in these programs. A significant benefit of Army-run child care programs is the sliding fee scale, which adjusts child care costs based on total family income, making quality care more affordable for military families.
Army Fee Assistance for Off-Base Child Care
Recognizing that on-base child care isn’t always accessible due to location or waiting lists, the Army offers a Fee Assistance Program. This program is available to active duty Army service members, including reservists on active orders, who cannot access military-operated child care. This initiative allows families to seek care in their local communities while still receiving financial support to offset the costs. The Army Fee Assistance Program significantly expands child care options for military families, ensuring that quality care is within reach, regardless of their living situation.
To learn more and apply for the Army Fee Assistance Program, visit the dedicated Army Fee Assistance Program page on MilitaryChildCare.com.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) for Army Families
A valuable financial tool available to Army families is the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA). This Department of Defense program enables military families to allocate up to $5,000 of their pre-tax earnings to cover dependent care expenses. This includes a wide range of services such as child care, prekindergarten, before and after school care, and even summer day camps. Army families can utilize DCFSA funds to pay for child care costs that enable them to work, actively seek employment, or pursue full-time education. This program is available to active duty service members, active Guard Reserve on Title 10 orders, and DoD civilians. Importantly, participation in a DCFSA is possible even if receiving DoD child care fee assistance, offering a layered approach to managing child care expenses. Enrollment in a DCFSA typically occurs during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season or following a qualifying life event.
Explore the benefits of the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account program to maximize your savings on child care.
State and Territory Child Care Assistance Programs
As an additional layer of support, Army families should also be aware of potential child care financial assistance programs offered by the state or territory where they are stationed. For families who meet low-income criteria and encounter waiting lists for military programs, state assistance can be a crucial resource. To explore these options, simply select your state or territory and navigate to the “Financial Assistance for Families” page to discover local child care programs.
Additional Resources and Respite Programs
Beyond the primary programs, Army families can also explore supplementary resources and respite programs offered by military family support organizations. Organizations like Military OneSource and the National Military Family Association often provide information on temporary child care relief and respite care options. These can be invaluable resources for Army families needing short-term assistance or exploring all available avenues for child care support.
In conclusion, the Army is committed to supporting its families by providing a robust network of child care programs and financial assistance options. By utilizing resources like MilitaryChildCare.com, understanding fee assistance programs, and leveraging tools like DCFSAs, Army families can access quality, affordable child care solutions that meet their diverse needs and circumstances.
