AFA Funds Child Care Training for Military Spouses at Eglin, Hurlburt
October 25, 2024
The Air & Space Forces Association is partnering with Operation Child Care (OCC) Project to enroll 25 military spouses at Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field in Florida in a weekend-long professional child care training course November 16-17, certifying them within the DOD’s set of requirements to work as private caregivers on military installations. The initiative, HomeFront Help, is the latest from OCC Project, a nationwide nonprofit led by military spouses focused on improving child care access and equity for military families. AFA is funding the project through its United Forces & Families (F2) program.
HomeFront Help was designed to relieve a longstanding gap in child care availability on military installations. Upon completing the weekend-long cohort, participants will meet and exceed the DOD’s standards to provide emergency, ad hoc, and part-time care to Eglin and Hurlburt families, as well as be eligible to augment staff at on-base child care facilities.
AFA is paying a $250 stipend to all participants who complete the course. Participants also will receive the following benefits for free:
- Certifications, including Adult and Pediatric CPR/First Aid
- FBI, state criminal history, and child safety background checks
- 40 hours of free provider training, including special needs and behavioral support
- Two hours of one-on-one consulting with industry care experts
After completing the cohort weekend, participants will be added to a local database of vetted, certified private caregivers to help connect them with military families in need of child care.
“HomeFront Help is an amazing win-win for our forces and families: not only is it going to give Eglin and Hurlburt families access to more safe, high-quality caregivers, but it’s going to equip military spouses with the skills and certifications to thrive in a mission-critical career field while compensating them for their time investment,” said Kari Voliva, AFA’s Vice President for Member & Field Relations. “Operation Child Care Project has created exactly the sort of initiative that embodies our United Forces and Families vision of a culture where strong families continually build stronger forces. We’re proud to stand by the OCC Project team dedicated to tackling challenges head on with creative solutions.”
Applications to enroll in HomeFront Help are open now until November 11. Military spouses and early childhood education professionals in the greater Eglin AFB community are encouraged to apply. Learn more and apply now.