Research for Family Services

The DON is seeking to maximize the availability of child-care spaces within the available funding by adjusting the subsidies paid for different types of childcare. Military childcare is provided either in Child Development Centers (CDCs) or through the Family Child Care (FCC) program in private homes or bases. PDASN(M&RA) asked CNA to take a quick look at the subsidy program. The purpose of the study is to establish a baseline for FCC use and cost in the DON, with particular attention to initiatives to subsidize FCC. Recommendations include improving routine data collection and reporting, instituting regular parent and provider surveys, giving subsidies only to 0-3 year olds, and setting subsidies in line with local markets. In addition, we considered what an evaluation plan to monitor the effectiveness of FCC subsidies should include. Part of the report includes a suggestion for a follow-on study that would implement the evaluation plan. DTIC AD-B242825