Nashville Announces New Affordable Child Care Initiative for Military Families

Nashville Expands Child Care Options for Military Families

NASHVILLE– After the recent celebration of Veterans Day, there’s some exciting news for active-duty military families in Tennessee! The Department of Human Services (TDHS) has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to broaden the availability of affordable and quality child care options specifically for those who serve our country. This initiative, propelled by the TDHS’s great relationships with both the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Fort Campbell military base, aims to ease the burden of child care costs for military-affiliated families across the state.

So what does this partnership mean? Well, eligible child care providers in Tennessee can now join the DoD’s Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) program. This program is designed to give child care payment assistance to military families, making it more manageable for them to access the care their little ones need. But there’s a catch—child care facilities need to meet a certain quality score to qualify!

Understanding Quality Ratings

Providers in Tennessee that achieve a quality score between 80 and 100 under the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) will be eligible to participate. This system ensures that all participating child care agencies showcase the quality of care they provide, maintaining crucial standards for health, safety, and licensure.

Every licensed child care provider in Tennessee participates in the QRIS and receives a Child Care Score Card. This score card helps parents make informed choices about where to send their kids, ensuring they’re getting top-notch care. The state is fully committed to prioritizing affordable child care for families, and this initiative is a significant step in that direction.

A Word from the Leaders

“Access to affordable child care is an important issue that we continue to prioritize to support families across the state,” said Governor Bill Lee. He’s spot on—when military members are confident their children are safe, they can focus on their essential duties, serving and protecting our country. Just think about it: having that peace of mind can make all the difference.

Clarence H. Carter, the TDHS Commissioner, expressed his pride in supporting military families. “This partnership is one way we can give back to those who serve our country while also building quality child care capacity statewide,” he said. Isn’t that wonderful?

Fort Campbell’s Excitement

The mood is particularly jubilant at Fort Campbell. Major General Brett Sylvia, who commands the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell, shared his joy over this partnership. He mentioned, “This adds one more reason to the list on why Soldiers fight to serve at Fort Campbell, one of the best locations in our Army.” It’s fulfilling to know that our military personnel will have better opportunities for their families while they’re stationed here.

Benefits for Military Families and Providers

The MCCYN-PLUS program isn’t just a win for families; it also gives local child care providers a chance to grow their businesses. By participating in this initiative, child care facilities can support military families in their neighborhoods while increasing their own sustainability. How amazing is that?

To assist families, the DoD has introduced a new cap on the child care provider rate, which can go up to a maximum of $1800 per month per child. This adjustment is significant, as it allows military families to offset some of the costs not covered by their calculated family fee.

If you’re a military family wanting to learn more about qualifying for this exciting initiative, you can visit militarychildcare.com. And for child care providers looking to participate, there’s more information available at childcareaware.org.

With this new partnership, Tennessee is demonstrating a strong commitment to military families, ensuring that they get the quality care they deserve. Here’s to making lives easier for those who serve!