To help with expanding child care needs, the Department of Defense is starting a small pilot program to explore providing fee assistance for full-time, in-home child care services. (Courtesy photo)
Military One Source
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (July 20, 2021) -- The Department of Defense is committed to ensuring service members and their families have access to the child care they need to be mission ready. To help with expanding child care needs, the DOD is starting a small pilot program to explore providing fee assistance for full-time, in-home child care services.
The fee assistance pilot program will cover full-time care for a minimum of 30 hours to a maximum of 60 hours of child care weekly. Care is not limited to Monday through Friday or time of day.
In its first year, the pilot will be open in five regions that have high demand and the longest waitlists for child care.
These locations are the National Capital Region; Hawaii; San Diego, California; Norfolk, Virgina; and San Antonio, Texas. Military families currently on the MilitaryChildCare.com waitlist or requesting child care via MilitaryChildCare.com in the five selected regions are eligible to participate in the pilot.
Eligible military families in these regions include:
- Single or dual active-duty members
- Single or dual Guard or reserve members on active duty
- Active-duty members with a full-time working spouse
- Guard or reserve members on active duty with a full-time working spouse
- Active-duty members with a spouse enrolled in a postsecondary institution on a full-time basis
- Guard or reserve members on active duty with a spouse enrolled in a postsecondary institution on a full-time basis
Families will be responsible for finding their own in-home care providers. Providers must be U.S. citizens and:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Read, speak and write English
Families may use the expanded child care service available through Military OneSource to search for in-home providers. Reach out to Military OneSource tax consultants if you have questions about tax implications for parents who employ care providers in their home.
In-home providers must successfully complete requirements for background checks and complete 32-hours of training covering topics including CPR and first aid, child abuse prevention, safe sleep and care for
children with special needs, if needed. Space in the pilot program is limited. Visit militaryonesource.mil/in-home3 to learn more.