Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) While They’re Deployed.

Operation: Military Child Care (OMCC) is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative to support the child care needs of military parents who are mobilized or deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

WHY is Child Care needed? When Military Parents are mobilized or 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 mobilized or deployed parents? This initiative helps eligible Military Families locate affordable child care 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 on-post child care programs.

WHO is eligible to participate? Families/child guardians of National Guard and Reserve Service members mobilized or deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism are eligible to participate during the period of the Military Parent’s deployment. Families/child guardians of geographically dispersed deployed Active Component Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines unable to access child care on military installations are eligible during the deployment period of the Military Parent. 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 do you apply for Operation: Military Child Care reduced fee child care?

1. 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.

2. 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 child care.

3. 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.

4. Callers with children already enrolled in a legally operating child care program, may submit an online application for reduced child care fees. Click here to process an online application (Note: applications will also be accepted by mail or fax).

5. The child care providers or child care centers will be required to submit an application to determine if they are legally operating. (Note: applications will also be accepted by mail or fax).

6. 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.

7. Fee reductions will vary depending upon Military Member’s Total Family Income (TFI), geographic location, Military and DoD child care fee policy, and funding availability. 8. NACCRRA will pay the “fee offset” directly to the provider. Service Members will pay their “reduced fee” directly to their child care provider. Note: Operation: Military Child Care services are not an entitlement and are subject to geographic availability of care and DoD and Military Service Funding.

For More Information Contact: The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) Call Toll-Free: 1-800-424-2246 Log On at www.childcareaware.org Questions? Send an e-mail to: omcc@naccrra.org

Related info: Military Child Care In Your Neighborhood Is a new initiative to locate and help pay for child care when on-base child care programs are not available or accessible.

Who’s eligible? Children of geographically dispersed Active Duty families with no access to on-base child care. Examples include children of Active Duty Recruiter’s, ROTC Instructors, MEPCOM personnel, Service Members on independent duty assignments and Service Members living in communities that are not within reasonable commuting distances to military installations. Children of Active Duty families who are wait-listed per Service policy and not currently enrolled in on-base child care. Child Age Groups Served: 6 weeks – 12 years Child Care Options: Children may attend civilian child care centers, family child care homes and after-school programs. Children may use full-day, part-day and hourly child care. Examples of programs eligible to participate in MCCIYN: 1. Nationally accredited child care centers or accredited family child care (FCC) homes 2. FCC homes with a CDA – credentialed provider or an FCC provider with an Associate’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or Child Development For more information about this program, please contact Child Care Aware of America https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/military-families/ You may also contact the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Gateway, Inc. at (386) 752-9770 or (866) 752-9770. Child care providers, facility and family child care ask for the Program Department, or families ask for the Family Services Department.