YMCA and JCC Provide Free Services to Military Families
In a continued effort to meet the growing needs of military service members, the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo will provide respite child care services to deployed National Guard/Reservists and select military personnel. Underwritten by the Department of Defense (DoD), respite child care services are designed to provide licensed child care for children of deployed military personnel.
“The YMCA/JCC is pleased to support military families and the child care needs of deployed
military personnel,” said Sarah Otis, VP of Child Development, YMCA and JCC of Greater
Toledo. “Providing a nurturing environment for families and children is integral to the YMCA
and JCC’s commitment to child development and family strengthening.”
Respite child care provides part-time, occasional and licensed child care for children whose
parent or guardian needs temporary respite from their role as primary caregiver in the absence of a deployed spouse. The care is intended for children who are 6 weeks up to 12 years of age.
With respite child care services, parents/guardians have the opportunity to focus on their own
personal health and well-being, which is essential when one is facing hardship and uncertainty of military deployment.
This new service is part of a $31-million initiative launched in October 2008 with the Armed
Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and the DoD to provide military families with access to youth
development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs at community YMCAs
nationwide. Included in this contract is $5 million earmarked to underwrite respite child care in 10 states across the country, including Ohio.
The ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative responds to a provision in the National Defense
Authorization Act of 2008, which requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan to support military family readiness and to ensure that military family readiness programs and activities are available to all deployed National Guard and Reserve families and select military personnel.
Military personnel who are eligible to receive the respite care benefits include:
1. Families of joint deployed Army National Guard and Reservists of all military branches;
2. Families of Active Duty Independent Duty personnel;
3. Relocated spouses and family members of deployed Active Duty personnel; and
4. Families of deployed Active Duty personnel, who are geographically dispersed outside a
30-mile radius from a military installation.
“The YMCA has a distinguished record of supporting military service members and their
families. The YMCA/JCC continues our commitment to military members and their families by
offering a strong network of support,” said Otis.
Families interested in respite child care should contact the YMCA/JCC Child Development
Department at 4149-474-3995 to inquire about availability. For more information about the
ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative and participating YMCAs, please visit www.ymca.net.
Press Release Contact Name: Jen Ruple
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-729-8135
Organization Name: YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo
Website or Link: www.ymcatoledo.org
Organization Address: Toledo, OH