New initiative addresses childcare needs at Camp Bull Simons

WASHINGTON – A new intergovernmental support agreement with the child care network Upwards will increase access to child care services for Army families at and around Camp Bull Simons, Florida.

Under the IGSA, Upwards will alert Army families to available spaces through agreements with local community child care centers and family child care providers via a mobile phone app.

According to the IGSA, the Army will cover the subscription costs for the app service for 100 Army families per month in the Camp Bull Simons area, who currently receive base-operations services through Eglin Air Force Base. Army families will pay the current Department of Defense hourly child care rate (eight dollars per hour), and the Army will subsidize provider fee costs that are over the DoD hourly rate (currently between four and six dollars an hour).

"Reliable, quality childcare isn't just a nice-to-have resource, it's a necessity and is essential for our Soldiers' peace of mind and their ability to remain ready for the mission and task at hand," said Lt. Gen David Wilson, Deputy Chief of Staff of G-9, during a signing ceremony. "This IGSA, made possible through the collaboration of the local, state, federal and military partners, will allow us all to provide critical child care services to our families at Camp Bull Simons."

The agreement is for one year, with an option of nine additional years, until a local brick-and-mortar child and development center is operational.

"A new Air Force child care facility is scheduled to open in 2028, but this IGSA is a way to bridge the gap and help fill the child care needs in the interim," said Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, commander of the Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Novosel. "This initiative with Upwards is a win-win for the 7th Group, their Soldiers, families and the Panhandle military community."

In addition, the Army, Air Force and DoD will renovate a currently closed CDC on Eglin AFB and will construct a larger CDC in Crestview, Florida, that can accommodate 256 children. If there is still unmet demand for Army and Air Force child care in the area two years after the completion of the Crestview CDC, the Army will consider building another CDC in the area.

"With IGSAs like this, we can deliver services at the speed of need versus the speed of bureaucracy," said Wilson. "By working together, we not only increase access to affordable, high-quality care, but also strengthen the bonds between our military installations and our communities that support us."