Did you know that out of 10 priority issues that impact military families, the third most important is increasing access to high quality child care?  Unfortunately, many military child development centers cannot meet the high demand for child care, resulting in lengthy waiting lists.

 

In 2010, Virginia was one of 13 states selected by DOD to establish or align quality standards utilizing the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) to identify quality programs, link service members and families to high-quality community based programs, and increase choices for military families.  Locally, two military centers are participating in QRIS.  We believe QRIS is a strong rating tool that can help expand child care options for military families. 

 

To learn more about Virginia’s partnership with the Department of Defense, visit NACCRRA.

 

Resources for Military Families & Child Care Providers:

Community-Based Child Care for Military Families—a booklet to assist civilian child care providers in caring for military families.

 

Joining Forces—a national initiative that mobilizes all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned.

 

Military Homefront—an overview of military child care options.

 

National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies—partners with the military to help military families access and afford quality child care.

 

Operation Military Child Care—helps to find approved child care in your community  and provides  fee assistance to cover a portion of the cost.

 

Serving Our Servicemen and Women (SOS)—a state initiative championed by Virginia’s first lady, Maureen McDonnell dedicated to serving and supporting our military families.