Department of War Expands Community-Based Childcare Fee Assistance

The Department of War remains focused on building and maintaining a ready, lethal fighting force prepared to dominate the battlefield and achieve peace through strength. This decisive edge begins with taking care of our military families. Any lack of convenient, affordable and high-quality childcare is a direct threat to Service member readiness, retention, and combat power. To support military families where childcare options are limited, the Department is expanding its existing childcare fee assistance program through the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood to include faith-based childcare providers.

Effective immediately, this pilot program expands childcare fee assistance across Arkansas, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and Miami-Dade County, Florida. By extending eligibility, the pilot provides fee assistance for State-approved community childcare providers operating under legally recognized, license-exempt status. Additionally, the pilot covers school-operated public or private programs that do not require a separate childcare license.

“Military spouses share in the extraordinary sacrifices of our nation’s warriors, enduring frequent moves and long separations. When senior leadership listens to the military community and takes action, it directly relieves the everyday pressures on families. This childcare expansion is a critical step forward by the Military Spouse Commission and the Department of War to champion family quality of life, ensuring that those who stand beside Service members are supported every step of the way,” said Mrs. Jennifer Hegseth, Chair of the President Donald Trump’s Military Spouse Commission.

To ensure the safety and well-being of military children, all participating providers must comply with established state health, safety, and federal background check standards, as well as local education and childcare laws. Because local regulations vary, providers in Virginia and Miami-Dade County, Florida, must participate in their state’s quality improvement initiative or subsidy program to qualify.

The Department will ensure childcare fee assistance is available across all approved locations, with the built-in flexibility to scale and add additional pilot sites as needed.

“Operational readiness is directly impacted by the stability of the home front. Our Warfighters perform at their best when they know their families are safe and supported at home. The Department of War is aggressively cutting through bureaucratic red tape to provide flexible, reliable childcare options where families need them most. This pilot will expand childcare access while enabling our Service members to remain focused on the mission,” said Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata.

Military families can begin utilizing these expanded resources immediately. Families can learn about available options, search for care, and submit requests online through MilitaryChildCare.com, or research local safety standards, staff-to-child ratios, and quality ratings through Childcare.gov.