Opportunities here for Warren members who need child care

  • Published
  • By Cerrina Smith
  • 90th Force Support Squadron
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Family child care offers a host of programs including hourly, part-day or full-day care.
The growing demand for childcare and the need for greater flexibility in supporting the Air Force mission created the expansion of the FCC Program. 

The extended duty child care program assists families in obtaining child care from licensed or affiliated providers at or near the base when weekly parental workloads, due to extended hours and or temporary shift changes, exceed the standard 50 hours of care that families are already purchasing in child care programs on or off base. 

The missile care program is designed to provide overnight, weekend and holiday child care for those single and dual military members assigned to work in the missile field. 

Parents are permitted to use the MC program home only when they are on official duty and they have a need for the service. MC shall not substitute for regular child care arrangements or be the sole child care arrangement. Parents using the program must use their regular child care thereby using MC as a supplement. 

Currently, there are three MC and extended duty contracts. Each family child care provider is contracted for 300 hours for a total of 900 hours. 

To be eligible, at least one parent must be a member of the U.S. military service - active duty, Reserve or Guard member in activated status; dual employed or DoD civilian employee assigned to or working on the installation. 

Being provided care is a privilege, not a right, and the family child care program will retain final approval authority on whether or not a child is accepted for care. 

First priority is given to parents whose children are currently enrolled in the child development center, school-age program or family child care program. 

Some information is required for enrollment: 

- Form 1181 for each child. This must include 2 emergency contact numbers that are local.
- Current shot records for each child.
- Current letter from first sergeant or supervisor stating why you qualify for this program.
- Parent agreement form.
- For single and dual military families, an AF Form 357 is required.
- Work schedule. Schedules must be received in advance by the 25th of each month prior to the month child will receive care. 

Remember, it is the parent's responsibility to contact and visit each provider before care is provided. 

Call the family child care office at 773-3317 for more information. 

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The program has only one staff member, so callers should leave a message. 

More information is available with the family child care cell phone at 631-2645, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.