Access to affordable child care

By Kent D. Brickman, Director, FMWR/ACS and Jaylynn Richard, ACSDecember 13, 2010

Have you heard of the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies' Neither have almost 80 percent of your Natick Soldier Systems Center colleagues.

A recent survey of the NSSC population discovered that less than 20 percent of the workforce was aware of this valuable resource. You might be unaware that, established in 1987, NACCRRA now works with more than 700 state and local child care agencies throughout the United States.

NACCRRA has also worked conscientiously to ensure that 99 percent of families that live in populated ZIP codes have access to affordable child care. NACCRRA strives to ensure families have access to a consistent level of high-quality child care. This is partially shown through its focus on its mission to "lead projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, undertake research, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families."

The NACCRRA organization, as a whole, understands that each family is unique with regard to its requirements, and each family has its own independent needs. NACCRA also understands that though each family is unique, all families want the best for their children. This is one reason that the organization has begun many "parent-focused programs, initiatives and resources."

You might have also been unaware that NACCRRA has hosted 44 parents, in Washington, D.C., and that the parents came from all points of 31 states. This gave the sampling of parents the opportunity to discuss issues, concerns and experiences directly with policymakers.

Of course, with regard to our military population, it is important to note that NACCRRA is an avid supporter of our U.S. military members and their family members. NACCRRA states on its website: "Through several innovative civilian/military efforts between the Services, NACCRRA and Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) are building the quality and capacity of child care throughout the country." You may view some of these initiatives at http://www.naccrra.org/MilitaryPrograms/army/fee-assistance-programs/.

For more information about NACCRRA or how to tie-in to services of this nature, we encourage you to contact NSSC - Army Community Service (ACS) at (508) 233-5377 and ask for Jaylynn Richard or Kent Brickman. It is our job to know the answers to your family service questions.