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Check out the May 2025 ARNG CYS Newsletter by clicking here!

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  • Resources for Educators
  • FY24 Annual Report
  • MOMC 2025
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  • Childcare Options
  • Program Feedback
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Supporting Guard Families: Overcoming Childcare Challenges with Affordable, High-Quality Solutions

National Guard families often encounter unique challenges, such as frequent separations, Drill weekends, deployments, and the overall demands of military life. The Guard is committed to easing the burden on families by addressing the barriers of affordability and accessibility when it comes to childcare. By providing affordable, high-quality childcare options, the Guard aims to alleviate one significant stressor, helping families better balance their military and family responsibilities.


What options are available for Army and Air National Guard Families?


Army National Guard Weekend Drill Childcare Pilot Program

Army Fee Assistance - Military Child Care

Air Force Fee Assistance - Military Child Care


ARNG Weekend Drill Childcare Pilot Program

No-Cost Childcare for Soldiers During Drill Weekends

The National Guard Bureau has teamed up with Upwards to bring you the Weekend Drill Child Care (WDCC) Pilot Program. We're on a mission to tackle childcare challenges during drill weekends so you can stay mission-ready, ease financial stress, and balance military duties with parenting . 

 

Eligibility:

  • The program is available to eligible ARNG Soldiers on T32 or M-Day status during drill weekends.
  • Soldiers must be drilling members of a unit in a Pilot 2 state to participate. AR, CO, GA, IA, ID, IL, KS, LA, MA, MD, MN, MO, NH, NM, OH, OR, VA, VT, WA, or WI
  • Dependent children aged six weeks to 12 years, registered in DEERS, are eligible for care.
  • To check your eligibility go to:  www.upwards.com/benefits/military


Comprehensive Coverage:

  • The WDCC Pilot Program provides care during drill weekends, including MUTA 4 and MUTA 6 drills (e.g., Saturday and Sunday, or Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday).
  • Childcare is available from 0600 to 1800 during drill periods.
  • Care is provided for up to 12 hours per child per day.

 

Flexible and Reliable Care:

  • The program offers rescheduling options without fees if drill periods change due to command orders.
  • Cancellation is allowed up to 48 hours before the start of care, ensuring flexibility for Soldiers’ changing schedules.

 

Ease of Access:

  • Soldiers can easily reserve care online via the Upwards app or website, with reservations available up to 30 days in advance.
  • The program is distinct from the Army Fee Assistance program and is tailored specifically for drill weekends.

 

Support for All Family Situations:

  • The program is available to families with both parents serving in the Guard, single Soldiers, and Soldiers whose spouses are working or in school on drill weekends. 
  • Exceptions for extenuating circumstances related to a working or in-school spouse may be considered. To request an exception, please contact NGB J1-M at: ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mbx.weekend-drill-childcare@army.mil 

Weekend Drill Childcare Downloads

Weekend Drill Childcare - FAQ Flyer (pdf)

Download

Weekend Drill Childcare-Informational Flyer (pdf)

Download

Partnering to Support National Guard Families: Affordable, High-Quality Child Care Solutions

The National Guard, in collaboration with Child Care Aware® of America and the Department of Defense, is dedicated to supporting our military families through the Fee Assistance and Respite Child Care Programs. Child Care Aware has served over 10 million families and established a network of more than 10,000 licensed child care providers, ensuring that National Guard families have access to affordable, high-quality care.


Child Care Aware® of America administers the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program, providing fee assistance for eligible military families, including those in the Army and Air National Guard. This program helps families access affordable community-based childcare when military-based care is unavailable due to distance or waitlists. 

Army Fee Assistance

Army Fee Assistance Frequently Asked Questions

Army Fee Assistance Program Information and Questions:  

Email:  militaryinfo@childcareaware.org

 If you need any assistance creating a household profile on MilitaryChildcare.com

Email: FamilySupport@MilitaryChildCare.com  

MCCYN is a fee assistance program that keeps affordable child care in reach for eligible families. It’s intended for families who cannot access military-operated care due to distance or waitlists. With fee assistance, a portion of your child care cost is paid to reduce the cost of using community-based care. 


MCCYN is available to Army active duty members, Army Reservists and Army National Guard on active duty*, Army civilians, and Gold Star spouses who:

  • Are stationed at an installation that has been pre-identified as fee assistance eligible, or
  • Do not live near a DoD installation with a Child and Youth program.


If married, your spouse must be employed, actively seeking employment, or a student enrolled in a minimum number of hours.


Fee assistance is available to:

  • Families stationed within the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska.
  • Children from birth through age 12.


* To be eligible, Reservists and National Guard members must be on Title 10 or Title 32 orders for a minimum of 30 consecutive days.


 If you don’t already have an account, go to: https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/mccyn/army select "Create an Account" at the top of the page. Once you create an account, set up a Household Profile so you can search for care at any time from any location. 


MilitaryChildCare.com allows you to search the full range of military child care options. Search for care, and if it’s available, submit a request for MCCYN for each of your children. Review the list of MCCYN providers to find participating providers in your area. 


You will receive an offer for care if space becomes available but no more than 30 days before the date you need care. Keep your email address up-to-date in your Household Profile so you do not miss these important messages. 


While you wait for an offer, start looking for a provider. Choose a provider from the MCCYN Provider List or select a preferred one from your community. Your selected provider must meet the requirements and apply to participate. 


If you receive an offer for MCCYN, you will receive a notification from MilitaryChildCare.com with instructions on how to accept the offer, complete your registration, and upload eligibility documents. 


Please refer to the FAQ sheet below or visit the Child Care Aware® website or the Military Child Care website for more information. 


Child Care Aware: https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/military-families/army/afa-program/


Military Child Care: https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/mccyn/army




Army Fee Assistance Downloads

Army Fee Assistance - FAQ (pdf)

Download

Air Force Fee Assistance

Air Force Fee Assistance Frequently Asked Questions

Air Force Fee Assistance Program Information and Questions:  

Email:  militaryinfo@childcareaware.org

 If you need any assistance creating a household profile on MilitaryChildcare.com

Email: FamilySupport@MilitaryChildCare.com  

MCCYN is a fee assistance program that keeps affordable child care in reach for eligible families. It’s intended for families who cannot access military-operated care due to distance or waitlists. With fee assistance, a portion of your child care cost is paid to reduce the cost of using community-based care. 


 MCCYN is available to Air Force active duty members, Air Force Reservists on active duty, Air Reserve Technicians, Air Force civilians, and Gold Star spouses who:

  • Are stationed at an installation that has been pre-identified as fee assistance eligible or
  • Do not live near a DoD installation with a Child and Youth program.


If married, your spouse must be employed, actively seeking employment, or a full-time student.


Fee assistance is available to:

  • Families stationed within the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska.
  • Children from birth through age 12.


 If you don’t already have an account, go to: https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/mccyn/air-force select "Create an Account" at the top of the page. Once you create an account, set up a Household Profile so you can search for care at any time from any location. 


MilitaryChildCare.com allows you to search the full range of military child care options. Search for care, and if it’s available, submit a request for MCCYN for each of your children. Review the list of MCCYN providers to find participating providers in your area. 


You will receive an offer for care if space becomes available but no more than 30 days before the date you need care. Keep your email address up-to-date in your Household Profile so you do not miss these important messages. 


While you wait for an offer, start looking for a provider. Choose a provider from the MCCYN Provider List or select a preferred one from your community. Your selected provider must meet the requirements and apply to participate. 


If you receive an offer for MCCYN, you will receive a notification from MilitaryChildCare.com with instructions on how to accept the offer, complete your registration, and upload eligibility documents. 


Please refer to the FAQ sheet below or visit the Child Care Aware® website or the Military Child Care website for more information. 


Child Care Aware: https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/military-families/air-force/fee-assistance/


Military Child Care: https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/mccyn/air-force




Air Force Fee Assistance Downloads

Air Force Fee Assistance - FAQ (pdf)

Download

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