Free child care available to some reservists

  • Published
  • By Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  At some point in a reservist's career, there might come a time when it can become a challenge to find child care for their children on the weekend, especially for single parents and dual working couples. 

This is something Tech. Sgt. Mariah Krass knows all about. The 512th Airlift Wing reservist, and mother of one-year-old twins and a three year old, works full time at the Delaware Pension Office. Her husband is a civilian firefighter with the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron and works 24 hours on and 24 hours off, which limits his ability to watch their children on the UTA. 

"We don't have any family in the area that can assist us when my husband and I are working, so this left us with no options for the weekends," said Sergeant Krass who is a 512th Airman and Family Readiness technician. 

This is why she started using the base's free Home Community Care. This program provides free child care for reservists on the UTA and annual tour, if there is space available. 

"This child care is offered only if the reservist has no other child care available," said Beverly Henderson, Dover Air Force Base Family Child Care coordinator. "In the case of a two-parent family, both parents must be working." 

Activated reservists and reservists who are on MPA orders (man days) are not eligible to use HCC, said Ms. Henderson. However, they can pay for and use military child care as long as they are on orders. 

Sergeant Krass has been using this free service for a year-and-a-half and highly recommends it to reservists who qualify. 

"It's a great program," she said. "They are very flexible with people's schedules, and you can go out and meet the (child care provider) ahead of time." 

To qualify for this free benefit, reservists must fill out an HCC form that their supervisor must sign, certifying they are working and there is no other child care available, said Ms. Henderson. 

Once approved, reservists must bring a current shot record to the provider when they drop off their child, or care will be denied, said Ms. Henderson. Also, parents must supply the names of two local emergency contacts and their phone numbers. These individuals must live in Dover and can get to the provider's home within 10 to 15 minutes, she said. 

HCC isn't the only child care option available to reservists. 

During the week, the Child Development Center and the Youth Center are available for drop-in care, said Ms. Henderson. The cost is $4 per hour, and children must stay a minimum of two hours. 

Reservists can also contact a Family Child Care provider and arrange for child care, she added. Each provider sets their own hourly rate. If the reservist needs care for a week or longer, week-long contracts are also available at the CDC and the YC. 

For more information on HCC or other programs, contact the CDC at (302) 677-3716 or the YC at (302) 677-6376.