FORT BRAGG, N.C. - As part of Army Family Covenant, Fort Bragg's Child, Youth and School Services offers childcare services to Soldiers and their Families.
Families of deployed military and Department of Defense civilians get 16 hours of free hourly care per child per month, starting 30 days before deployment and ending 90 days after return, said Dorene Jenkins, CYSS outreach services director.
Families of fallen warriors and wounded warriors also get 16 hours. Military and DoD civilians serving under temporary change of station, permanent change of station, unaccompanied tour and temporary duty status for 70 to 179 days or in rear detachment cadre get five hours free hourly care per child per month during the length of tour.
Information needed for registration is proof of enrollment, copy of birth certificate, immunization records for children from birth to fourth grade and total Family income, Jenkins said.
All summer programs require CYSS registration, which can be completed at Parent Central Services at the Soldier Support Center.
Online services allow for payment of monthly childcare fees, enrollment in youth sports, Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and SkiesUnlimited classes and academies, and the Excel, Develop, Grow, Experience program.
Online services are also available for first-time registration or make hourly care reservations.
More than 13,000 Families with nearly 20,000 children participated or registered for a CYSS program last year, said Karen Miller, CYSS division chief. CYSS is of great benefit to Army Families.
For instance, if a Family undergoes a medical emergency, CYSS can place them into a Family Childcare Home either on or off post, in government quarters or in the Family's home.
The ratio of care providers to those being cared for depends on the age, Miller added. For infants, the ratio is one to four; for pre-toddlers, the ratio is 1 to 5; toddlers, it's 1 to 7; preschoolers, 1 to 10 and school age, 1 to 15.
Extensive background checks are conducted on care providers, center volunteers and those who would come into contact with a child through CYSS, Miller said.
Background checks are also conducted on the spouses of providers, as well as any child above the age of 12, Jenkins said.
CYSS offers childcare for Family readiness group meetings, Jenkins added. But, the childcare is offered for specific dates and times. A current shot record is required.
Army spouse, KayLynn Sutton used CYSS childcare services to attend an Army Community Service event when her husband was deployed to Afghanistan.
"It's good for the husband or mothers who are left behind," Sutton said. "CYSS has a lot of programs that a lot of parents don't know about."
Not only do Families have to accommodate changes associated with deployment, but they do not always have the support of extended Family in the area, Miller said.
"This is the perfect place to get that break and know you get quality care of that child," she said.
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