FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Some patrons of Fort Carson's child care programs will see a slight increase in their monthly rates beginning Nov. 1. Depending on their income category, some Families will see a $6-$10 increase, while others will see a smaller increase or none at all.
The change is being made across the Department of Defense as the organization transitions to single fees within Total Family Income categories to provide consistent child care costs across all military services and installations. Some installations considered "high cost" will have a different fee schedule, but Fort Carson is not one of those.
In conjunction with the new fee schedule, which is mandated by the DOD, contractors in the highest income category used for rate determination, currently TFI Category 9, will no longer receive the Army Fee Assistance child care rate nor the multiple child reduction. This can mean an increase in monthly child care costs of more than $200 per child. Those contractors will also be reclassified as Category 9A.
Armanda Hunt, Child, Youth and School Services coordinator, said that what most Fort Carson Families will see is a slight increase if any at all.
"To some Families, $6-$10 per month is significant and affects Families in different ways," Hunt said. "What I want the Soldier to keep in mind is that CYSS understands Soldiers and Families, and we understand what it means to be mission ready, so we offer a variety of programs and services that support the Soldiers' unique missions. We don't charge nuisance fees for Soldiers that have mission-related late pick-ups.
"There are many benefits to Army Families that are enrolled in our program," she said. "We really are here to help that Soldier be able to focus on their mission with the peace of mind that their children are in a safe, healthy and secure environment. In addition, the Army continues its commitment to affordable child care and youth programs by striving to keep fees lower than comparable community programs and by paying a portion of the cost of care for all Families using CYSS programs."
Even with the fee increase, Hunt said military Families are still getting a good deal on child care costs and quality.
"Anything that's mission-related, CYSS is here to support, and I think that's a big difference in what the Soldier gets by being here on the installation as opposed to going to … a mom and pop or a privately owned organization that is really there for business, for profit," she said.
Parents with questions about the new fee structure can contact Parent Central Services in building 1518, call 526-1101 or 526-1100 or visit http://www.mwrfortcarson.com/child-and-youth-services.php#!administration/c1g86. Parent Central Services also handles registration for Families new to child care through CYSS.
Social Sharing