Meeting challenges is normal part of MilLife, but with so much changing daily as a result of the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic, sometimes it’s hard to know which problem to tackle first. If child care issues are on top of your list right now, Military OneSource is here to help you find the answers you need.
Because the impact of COVID-19 is unique and specific to each location, the best place to start if you have questions about child care centers or programs is to contact your local installation. Local commanders have the authority to respond to conditions in their area by implementing safety precautions they deem necessary to effectively carry out their respective missions, protect their forces, and meet the critical needs of their people and families. Every person’s situation is unique, but everyone can get support for their questions three ways: go through contacts at your installation, call Military OneSource or review information here.
Child care questions and answers related to COVID-19:
Yes.
- If families remove their child from child care for social distancing/safety AND have to continue paying for a spot with a civilian care provider, they will still receive their subsidy, even if the child is at home. Fee assistance will be paid to the approved child care provider. This includes using fee assistance to pay to save a space if the child care center is closed. Fee assistance is calculated based on the difference between the provider’s rate (up to $1,100 to $1,500 per month depending on location) and the family’s military child care fee.
- Child Care Aware is also continuing to offer fee assistance during COVID-19. Get information specific to each service branch »
Yes, families may apply for fee assistance when their on-installation program is closed or the on-installation program is providing care for only mission-essential personnel. Spouses or partners must meet current eligibility requirements for employment and/or school. If fee assistance is approved for eligible members with children currently enrolled in a military program that is closed during this period, their need will be reassessed every 90 days.
Military families are encouraged to contact their local installation for assistance. Families, even in a mission-essential status, are encouraged to self-care for their own children in their home.
- If your spouse is deployed and you are sick and don’t have access to local family or friends, additional help and resources may be found with your installation’s:
- If you’re getting ready to welcome a new baby or are currently parenting a child up to age 5, Military OneSource offers you the New MilParent specialty consultation. It’s free, confidential support for a wide range of parenting issues.
These are incredibly challenging times, and Military OneSource is here with help when you need it. Check out the following links for:
If you have general questions about child care programs, the Department of Defense offers a variety of options including installation child development centers, school-age care programs, and family child care homes. There are also programs available for children with special needs. Information about military child care fee assistance can be found at Child Care Aware.
Stay up to date on all the latest information on COVID-19. For Department of Defense updates for the military community regarding the virus that causes COVID-19, view the following sites:
- Visit Coronavirus.gov, CDC.gov, USA.gov and Defense.gov.
- Follow Military OneSource’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms.
- Continue to visit the Coronavirus Information for Our Military Community page for updates.
- Check Move.mil for PCS-related updates.
This article originates from www.militaryfamily.org not HelpVet. View original article here.
