Nonprofit Expands Child Care for Military Families in Five States

Expanding Child Care Access for Military Families

A military nonprofit is making significant strides in addressing the growing demand for child care by expanding its capacity by 70,000 spaces across five key areas. This initiative aims to support military families who often face challenges in finding reliable and affordable child care options. The expansion includes enhanced before- and after-school care, summer camp opportunities, and improved transportation services to ensure that military families have access to these essential programs.

The project is made possible through a generous donation from Navy Federal Credit Union, which has provided substantial funding to support this effort. According to William French, President and CEO of the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), this initiative is designed to complement the child care services offered by the Defense Department and to address additional needs that may not be fully met by existing programs.

Longstanding Challenges in Child Care Availability

For many years, military families have struggled with the availability of affordable and high-quality child care. In response, both defense officials and service leaders have implemented various programs to ease the burden, including improving pay and benefits for child care workers. However, shortages of qualified staff have continued to exacerbate the problem, affecting both military and civilian communities alike.

ASYMCA, which focuses on providing a wide range of services and programs specifically for active-duty junior enlisted troops and their families, has long been a vital resource. The nonprofit operates at 12 branches across the country, offering various forms of child care. Recently, ASYMCA entered into a contract with the Department of Defense to open three new child care centers in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and the National Capital Region, adding a total of 600 much-needed child care spaces.

New Opportunities and Investments

These expansions are funded by Navy Federal Credit Union and are located in areas where ASYMCA already has established branches and sufficient staffing. The nonprofit has also invested in transportation solutions, such as vans and buses, and added more rooms to accommodate the increased demand. “This has positioned us to continue providing these services for military families in the future,” said French.

Child care programs offered by ASYMCA are available at low or no cost. For example, summer day camps typically cost around $100 per child per week, which is significantly lower than the average cost of similar programs elsewhere. “Affordable and reliable child care is not just a convenience; it's a critical component of readiness for military families,” French emphasized.

Specific Improvements in Key Locations

In Marine Corps Base Hawaii – Kaneohe Bay, the funding will help add an additional classroom to support preschool classes in the mornings and afternoons. In San Diego, ASYMCA is increasing the capacity for camps and before- and after-school care. In Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood, the nonprofit adapted an outdoor area to expand its before- and after-school care and on-site summer camps. Interestingly, this space has also become a popular location for soldiers to conduct their physical training.

At Fort Bragg, North Carolina, ASYMCA expanded its facilities to offer more summer camps and additional preschool support during the school year. To meet the need for transportation, some of the Navy Federal funding was used to purchase vehicles, such as vans and buses, to transport children from schools to the ASYMCA centers.

In Hampton Roads, Virginia, ASYMCA has improved its summer camp areas and introduced a new preschool class. Despite these improvements, high demand for services in Virginia remains a challenge, according to French. The group is working with both the Navy and the mayor of Virginia Beach to find additional space either on base or in town.

Addressing Broader Issues Affecting Military Families

French highlighted that one of the biggest issues facing military families today is spouse employment. He believes that by providing more child-care options, spouses can gain access to training and job opportunities, which could help alleviate some of the challenges they face.

“Alongside the Armed Services YMCA, we're supporting financial wellness for our members by sponsoring sustainable child care services for military families,” said Olivia Miller, vice president of strategic partnerships and community impact at Navy Federal Credit Union. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of addressing the unique needs of military families and ensuring they have access to the resources necessary for stability and success.