South Carolina is home to tens of thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard, and reserve members.
Many parents face the challenge of finding affordable childcare, but a new initiative aims to alleviate this burden.
According to Secretary Todd McCaffrey of the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs, military installation commanders in the state have highlighted three main concerns for their families during their meetings. These issues are the quality of public-school education in the state, accessibility to affordable housing off-base, and accessibility to quality childcare.
According to military officials, the lack of available childcare centers on base has created a difficult situation for many families. Parents are faced with the tough decision of either paying extra money to send their children to off-base centers, which may have more availability, or competing for limited space at on-base centers.
According to Col. Kevin D. Hicok, commander of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, the waitlist for available spots is a significant challenge for men, women, and children. Despite the sizable waitlist, the mission continues, making it a unique challenge to navigate.
During a news conference held near Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter County, state leaders unveiled a new solution called Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood Plus, or MCCYN-PLUS. This program aims to address the issue of childcare for military families in South Carolina.
Military and DoD civilian families can now seek financial assistance through this program to cover childcare expenses when it is not available on base or if they reside far away from an installation.
Governor Henry McMaster emphasized the importance of ensuring the happiness of children and babies, stating that their well-being directly affects the happiness of parents. He further explained that if parents are not content, the mission of raising a family cannot be achieved, which ultimately impacts the strength and security of the United States.
According to the Department of Social Services, over 200 of their approved providers in the state meet the eligibility criteria for participating in the program. These providers have already received a B-plus rating or higher in South Carolina’s childcare quality rating system, known as ABC Quality.
According to Michael Leach, the Director of DSS, the organization is pleased to take part in a program that will not only enhance the accessibility of top-notch childcare programs for military families within their state but also benefit small-business operators who make up most of their childcare providers. Leach believes that this program will provide a much-needed boost to an industry that has faced financial difficulties for many years.
As of now, the program has been adopted by South Carolina, making it the 15th state to do so in the United States.
Childcare providers who are interested in participating in MCCYN-PLUS can register through Child Care Aware.
