Child care costs to change Armywide

By Emily Brainard, Army Flier StaffAugust 20, 2010

Child care costs to change Armywide
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FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Military Families Armywide will begin seeing changes to their on-post child care fees beginning Oct. 1, according to a Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command press release.

A new Department of Defense policy prompted this year's restructuring, said Rob McIlvaine, FMWRC Public Affairs staff member, Alexandria, Va.

Army child care fees have not changed since 2004, and needed reformation to keep pace with increasing provider costs, he said.

Affected programs include Child, Youth and School Services, full day, part day, part time and hourly child care, Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skill Unlimited and youth sports.

"Army Families will continue to have access to some of the best child and youth programs found anywhere in the world," said Maj. Gen. Reuben Jones, FMWRC commander. "These programs are an important part of our military communities and will continue to be a greater value for our Soldiers and their Families."

Fort Rucker Families will receive letters within the next few weeks notifying them of how the changes impact them, said Pam Williams, CYSS coordinator here.

The current six fee categories will grow to nine to accommodate more total Family income groups, McIlvaine said.

Rates are determined by TFI, which includes Families' wages, salaries, tips, long-term disability benefits, housing, substance and certain other allowances as well as specialty pays, McIlvaine noted. TFI does not include combat zone, hostile fire and imminent danger pay, variable and overseas housing allowances, Family separation pay, child support or alimony and cost of living allowances.

The three additional rate categories raise fees incrementally to cover Families earning $125,001 or more, FMWRC information stated. Increases will be smaller for TFIs of $85,000 and under, and some lower-income Families may see reduced fees.

Armywide standards incorporate a 15 percent discount for Families with two children or more, McIlvaine said. TFI does not affect this discount.

For more information, call 255-2375.