New DOD child care policy prioritizes military families

A new Department of Defense policy, which goes into effect Sept. 1, 2020, makes children of active-duty service members a top priority when it comes to base child development programs.

Col. Linda Hoover, 72nd Mission Support Group commander, said the policy applies to new child care requests, wait list management and program enrollment at the child development centers, youth center and family child care at Tinker Air Force Base. Families who currently have children enrolled in the Tinker programs will keep their access to child care, she said.

“Although the new priorities may affect some people in the future, we currently don’t anticipate any Tinker families being bumped from their on-base child care,” Hoover said. “However, if the demand for on-base care increases, we will re-evaluate to ensure we are following the DOD prioritized tier guidelines.”   

The updated DOD policy establishes three eligibility tiers for care, with the order of precedence within each tier based on the sponsor’s status.

◾Priority 1A: Child Development Programs direct-care staff

◾Priority 1B: Single or dual active-duty members; single or dual Guard or Reserve members on active duty or inactive duty training status; and service members with a full-time working spouse

◾Priority 1C: Active-duty members, or Guard or Reserve members on active duty or inactive duty training status, with part-time working spouse or a spouse seeking employment

◾Priority 1D: Active-duty members, or Guard or Reserve members on active duty or inactive duty training status, with a spouse enrolled in a post-secondary education institution on a full-time basis

◾Priority 2: DOD civilians

◾Priority 3: Space available

The process for child care requests and waitlist management will stay the same as it has been. Families will apply for and request child care through MilitaryChildCare.com. Child Development Programs will use MCC as the method to manage child care spaces, active care options and offerings.

Any patrons who may be supplanted by someone in a higher priority will have 45 days’ notice to make other arrangements for child care.    

For more information, contact Mary Duncan, 72nd Force Support Squadron Child & Youth Services Flight chief, at 405-734-5894 or mary.duncan.2@us.af.mil.