Subsidy will lower child-care rates Published Nov. 5, 2003 By Staff Sgt. Melanie Streeter Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- A new Air Force Services family member program initiative will change how some family child-care rates are set.The family child-care subsidy program will help working parents find high-quality and affordable child care, said Kim Jackson, Air Force family member programs specialist.Parents seeking full-time child care may soon pay the same rates in FCC homes as they would at an Air Force child development center. Those seeking care often face long waiting lists at installation centers and are forced to pay higher rates elsewhere.Under the new subsidy program, fees for full-time care in FCC homes will be set in one of six categories based on the family's annual income, Jackson said. This mirrors the way Air Force child development centers and school age programs determine rates.For most FCC customers, this will significantly reduce the child-care fees currently paid to home providers, Jackson said. Fees for care in FCC homes now range from $80 to $185 per week, per child. Costs to parents will drop $42 to $124 per week, per child, under the subsidy program. Air Force family member program officials will pay the home providers the difference."Providing quality, affordable child care for working parents is a priority for Air Force Services," said Toni Koppen, family member programs chief. "This new program is yet another way to help installations meet their mission requirements, while improving the quality of life for our active-duty members and (Department of Defense) civilians."Home providers will also see an incentive in the program, Jackson said. Many FCC homes are not operating at full capacity. Under the new program, more parents will be able to afford high-quality care in a home environment."The parents will receive a high-quality product at a reasonable cost," Koppen said. "The providers will receive a worthy wage for their services, and the installations will benefit from the affordable child care made available so members can focus on their duties."Bolling Air Force Base, D.C.; Andrews AFB, Md.; Randolph AFB, Texas; and Langley AFB, Va. will test this program in November, Jackson said. Another 47 installations will implement the program in the following months.Initially, families eligible for the subsidy include those with children younger than 3 years old, children with special needs, and children needing care during swing and midnight shifts at installations with waiting lists for CDC care, Jackson said. As additional funds become available and waiting lists continue at installation centers, other age groups will be added.