TODAY
BELVOIR
L I VE @FortBelvoir
2 p.m. Virtual Memorial Day Observance 5 p.m. Garrison Town Hall
RESOURCES
www.belvoireagleonline.com
Arlington County
Child Care Aware of America
Child Care bit.ly/Arlington_ChildCare
childcareaware.org
Prince George’s County, Md.
Fairfax County
Locate Child Care bit.ly/PGC_ Locate_Childcare
Childcare Search bit.ly/FFX_ ChildcareSearch
Prince William County Child Care bit.ly/PWC_Childcare
Stafford County
Charles County, Md. Advocacy Council bit.ly/Advocacy_ Council Child Care bit.ly/CharlesCo_Childcare
Child Care bit.ly/StaffordChildCare
Anne Arundel County, Md. Child Care centers bit.ly/AAC_ Childcare_Centers
Families have local options during daycare closures
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s the leadership of the Military District of Washington assesses the pandemic infection rates and its resulting risk, Belvoir is preparing to gradually expand operations on the installation. One of the key factors in a successful, phased re-opening is families securing child care, according to Janet Evans, chief, Child and Youth Services. “Child and Youth Services recognizes the challenges of our Soldiers and their Families. By offering quality programs for children, youth and students, CYS supports the Army Family by reducing the conflict between mission readiness and parental responsibility,” Evans said. Entering phase one, Evans said CYS will only be able to provide limited child care services for a significantly reduced population of families. The services will be based on COVID-19 directives to keep all classrooms at half capacity and operating with limited staffing, until conditions improve and are otherwise directed to increase capacity. Col. Michael Greenberg, Belvoir Garrison commander, will be issuing a COVID-19 Patron Priorities for Care in the coming weeks, once CYS staffers are
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Spouse earns award
Help Families with home childcare
Children and Families Information Center bit.ly/PGC_Family_Information
Human Services bit.ly/ StaffordHumanSvcs
By Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle
May 21, 2020
directed to begin reporting back to work. According to Evans, these priorities are, civilian and military, commander-designated emergency essential; commanderdesignated military mission essential (designation must be for both sponsor and spouse), before normal priorities being reinstated at a later date. “With this in mind, CYS would like to provide some additional resources for child care and subsidies that can be found based on home residence within the family’s own county,” said Evans, noting that families are encouraged to continue to make other alternate child care arrangements for the coming weeks. “Some alternate child care services and fee-assistance options include registering with Child Care Aware of America. Families can learn more by selecting their military branch and completing a child care resource and referral to search for options close to home or work,” she said. In addition to CCAoA, Families can search for other child care options in their own counties. Many counties also have information about how to apply for state and county subsidy programs, based on household income.
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Arlington treasure
Photo courtesy of FCC
A provider cares for children in her home in this 2017 photo.
By Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle s many families living on post know, The Villages of Belvoir prohibits most home-based businesses. But, Army regulations allow families to establish a home business, through the Army Family Child Care Program. FCC provides on-post child care by authorized military family members, retirees and qualified civilians working as independent contractors, according to Nikki Giroux, FCC director. She said providers must live on Belvoir, be 18 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent, and be able to complete and pass an Army background check. “We’re looking for individuals interested in helping out our Service members and our civilians by caring for children and teens,” Giroux said. “Some benefits include getting to work from home; the ability to care for your own children, so you don’t need child care; a good income and a long-lasting career.” She added that FCC providers can take their training and experience and transfer it to other installations and CYS activities. “It can be a great opportunity, especially for spouses with young children, they can stay home while working and you can transfer that experience to other military installations,” said Family Child Care provider Tabitha Stafford, who started about six years ago. “It’s great, working at home with your young children, and also being able to provide a constant schedule and adding curriculum
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Virtual fitness
and being able to teach children of different ages. It’s so rewarding.” Families pay the provider directly, with fees based on rank. Giroux said annual income can range from $5,000 to $27,000 a year. FCC pays the provider supplemental subsidies, like for caring for a special needs child, or incentive payment for every year participating. To ensure quality care, the program limits six children per house, including the provider’s children. FCC provides all necessary materials, including tables, chairs, cubbies; toys, gates and safety items. FCC providers also have the flexibility to offer child care on an hourly basis. “We’ve had spouses and grandmothers, men and women, and a variety of providers. As long they’re eligible to live on post, and the sponsor is in agreement,” said Giroux. She said she hopes to expand the current, eight homes offering on-installation child care, to at least 20 homes. FCC can provide a glimpse of what the childcare career is like and connects interested providers with current providers, to help with questions. For more info, contact: Army Family Child Care Program 703-805-1824 nicolle.m.giroux.naf@mail.mil
Reopening Belvoir A Recovery Framework based on the phased approach from The White House Task Force Guidelines to Reopen America
HAIR-CUTTING SERVICES When Fort Belvoir starts Phase 1 of reopening, a salon hairdresser and barbers will offer hair trimming, three days a week. The service will be by appointment only, for Service members in uniform. Details will be provided during the Garrison Town Hall, today at 5 p.m., on Facebook Live.
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Dangerous pets