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A New Solution for Military Child Care Needs

A Pilot Program in Eglin, Florida and Colorado Springs, CO

Meet Our HomeFront Helpers

Eglin, Florida

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Our HomeFront Helpers consists of diverse individuals from the  Eglin/Hurlburt area of Florida. Helpers are passionate about serving families in need and ready to serve.

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  • Adea G.

  • Courtney O.

  • Danna M.

  • Katherine C.

  • Lily P.

  • Lori K.

  • Martha C.

  • Megan C.

  • Meike B.

  • Olga B.

  • Raquel S.

  • Rebekah Z.

  • Shadine D.

  • Sofia A.

  • Terera H.

  • Vivian K.

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Family Time

Ready to become a HomeFront Family and reach out to Helpers? Submit your request below!

What is HomeFront Help?

Operation Child Care Project (OCC Project), a nationwide nonprofit led by military spouses, is excited to announce its new initiative, the HomeFront Help (HFH) Pilot Program. This program is a community effort to reduce harm to military families frequently left with no other options for caregivers. OCC Project facilitates a weekend-long cohort to offer free training to trusted "Helpers," across a variety of safety spectrums. This places more safe, quality caregiver options in the local community.


Once the Helpers have completed their cohort, they can work directly with families, assist families in the OCC Project case management pipeline, or hop on the first substitute provider list with a partnering child care center to assist with short-term staffing needs.

This program addresses a long-standing gap in military child care by offering emergency, ad hoc, and part-time child care options to families in need. Through collaboration with our partners, OCC Project knows this program will meet families where they are serving both the military and civilian community.

HomeFront Help Partners:

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HomeFront Help is designed to:

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  • Provide flexible care options for military families facing unique child care challenges. Parents seek safe, quality care, they do not always have the privilege of finding it. 

  • ​Demonstrate what a true community collaborative program is by building a program from the ground up, relying on the feedback of those served.​

  • Empower local community members, especially military spouses and family members, to gain the skills, certifications, and experience necessary to provide safe care. Through ongoing efforts, Helpers will receive continued education and support as long as they see this as a career field that fits their needs.

Program Highlights and Benefits

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Highlights

  • Scholarships and stipends for Helpers who complete the training.

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  • Free certifications, including Adult and Pediatric CPR/First Aid.

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  • Comprehensive background checks and safety screenings that Helpers get to keep for their portfolio.

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  • 40 hours of free provider training, including special needs and behavioral support.

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  • Access to expert consulting and self-employment training.

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  • $250 stipend for completing the cohort weekend.

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Once trained, HFH Helpers will be listed in a locally managed database, where OCC Project military families can reach out directly when they need help. Helpers may also partner with local child care facilities to address staffing shortages.

Applications for future Helpers in the Eglin Florida area and Colorado Springs, CO area will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

Benefits

  • Aspiring Early Education Professionals: Community members, especially military spouses, can gain valuable skills, increase their employability, and have a flexible income opportunity.

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  • Military Families: Access to trained, trusted, and flexible child care providers will give peace of mind and support in times of need.

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  • Local Community: By partnering with local child care providers, HFH addresses staffing shortages while offering military families more access to safe and quality care.

  • Step 3: Resource Identification
    Finding the right childcare subsidies and resources can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the available options. At Operation Child Care Project™, our Resource Identification service takes the guesswork out of the process. We draw from a wide network of resources and know about available subsidies and programs so that we can identify potential options for your family. From military subsidies to specialized childcare services for military families, we’ll help you find the support you need.
  • Step 6: Follow-up & Adjustment
    Once a solution is in place, Operation Child Care Project™ remains in contact with the family to ensure the childcare arrangement meets their needs. The plan can be adjusted if necessary to address any new challenges or changes in the family's situation. Operation Child Care Project™ understands that family dynamics can shift over time, and we are dedicated to providing ongoing support to ensure that the childcare solution remains effective and supportive for the family. This commitment to continuing communication and adjustment sets Operation Child Care Project™ apart and reflects their dedication to providing personalized and responsive support to families in need of childcare services.
  • I am a military/veteran family needing help. Where do I go?
    Welcome! We are happy to help. Please navigate to our services menu and complete the case management intake form for assistance.
  • I am an organization that wants to collaborate or offer assistance. Who should I contact?
    Welcome! Thank you for your support. Please navigate to our Partnership link or email info@occproject.org with your interest.
  • I have a question that is not related to either of those topics.
    We want to hear it. Please feel free to submit the question here and someone from our team will get back to you ASAP.
  • Step 2: Comprehensive Assessment
    Our Comprehensive Assessment service is the second step toward providing the support that families in need require. Our team of specialists conducts a thorough assessment, gathering information about your family's situation to ensure that we fully understand your unique needs. From your location to any special considerations, we take everything into account and develop a personalized plan to maximize the impact of our services.
  • Step 1: Initial Consult
    At Operation Child Care Project™, we understand that finding affordable, quality childcare can be overwhelming. That's why our process starts with a thorough initial assessment. Our team will reach out to your family to discuss your unique needs, challenges, and goals related to childcare. We believe that every family deserves access to quality childcare, and we're here to help every step of the way!
  • Step 7: Resolution
    Operation Child Care Project™'s ultimate goal is to provide support and resources to families in need of childcare assistance. The process concludes when a stable childcare solution is in place and the family feels confident moving forward. Additionally, Operation Child Care Project™ ensures that the family knows how to seek further assistance in the future if needed. Our organization is committed to providing immediate support and empowering families to access ongoing resources and assistance as needed.
  • Step 4: Plan Development
    At Operation Child Care Project™, we are committed to helping families find quality childcare that meets their unique needs. Our team provides plan development services that are tailored to your specific situation. We work with you to create a plan of action that outlines the steps needed to access the resources you need and helps you overcome any potential barriers to access.
  • Step 5: Implementation & Support
    Operation Child Care Project™ offers ongoing support for families, assisting them in coordinating subsidy applications, connecting with childcare providers, and navigating any issues that may arise. Our team works closely with each family to provide personalized assistance throughout the process, ensuring that children can access quality childcare that meets their unique needs and circumstances. Operation Child Care Project™ is committed to empowering families by providing the necessary support and resources to help them secure dependable and affordable childcare options, ultimately promoting the well-being and development of children.
  • Can you guarantee that a Helper is available to care for my children?
    While we wish we could, we cannot guarantee a Helper will be available. Through a landscape study and needs assessment, we have decided to start with 20 Helpers in our cohort for the local community. We will reassess based on demand every quarter to facilitate training for additional Helpers if needed.
  • How does the substitute provider pipeline for Helpers work?
    Helpers who expressed interest in completing short term contracts (2 weeks to three months) to help local centers bridge the gap in staffing shortages are able to use their training for direct hire opportunities. OCC Project has partnered with Kids Discovery with the following locations Kids Discovery in Ft. Walton Beach, Kids Discovery in Mary Esther, and Kids Discovery in Valparaiso. Helpers who signed up for this portion of the pilot and who complete the cohort will be contacted directly by the center director with employment opportunities. The center will hire the Helper directly.
  • Is child care subsidized?
    The care provided through a Helper is not subsidized unless you are hiring the Helper for a program that offsets caregiver costs, such as the DoD CCYH program or your state's Respite care program.
  • Does it cost anything to be a Helper?
    No! OCC Project believes that the simple act of having more safe caregiver options in the local community is payment enough. Through this program, the cost of all training, background checks, certifications, and materials are covered. The required in-person training cohort will also provide drinks and meals, and you will receive a stipend of $250 just for completing the program at the conclusion of the weekend.
  • Can I leave feedback after I hire a helper?
    Since Helpers work for themselves, we can only verify feedback if it is from a family that was connected via our case management. If you were connected via our case management, we welcome feedback, which is part of our process. We want to know how access to a safe quality caregiver impacted your life.
  • Who do we contact to hire a helper?
    Helpers are welcome to identify and market themselves to the general public. If you see their advertisement, you may hire a helper directly. If you would like assistance drafting your request, you can join our case management at occproject.org/case-management
  • Is this a nanny agency?
    No. Our organization aims to set up a win/win/win for the local community. We are not the Helpers' employers, nor do we set rates or directly “connect” helpers to families. For families entering our case management in need of emergency, short-term help will be provided by drafting their “ask,” which OCC Project will send out to the vetted Helpers. It is up to the Helpers to contact families they are interested in assisting.
  • Once I become a Helper, can I open my own FCC?
    While the requirements for Helpers mirror what the Department of Defense requires for their FCC homes, it is not all inclusive. FCC home can only be licensed and registered through the local installation. Helper training is for professional development and safety only, it is not intended to replace licensure.
  • If my family really likes a specific helper, may we request them again?
    Yes! If you are already connected with a Helper, you are welcome to contact them directly (if they provided their contact information) to see if they are interested in providing additional care. If you are submitting the request through our case management we can let the provider know they are the preferred caregiver but cannot guarantee that they will be the individual available since they set their own hours.
  • Who can be apply to be a helper?
    Anyone in the local community with a passion for bridging the gap in safe child care options. Pilot program priority will be given to those from the military community, military spouses, veterans, reservists, family members (over 18). You must be able to complete online training and be available for the entirety of the in-person cohort on November 16th and November 17th. You must also be able to pass National & Local Background Checks and complete a First/Aid CPR Certification.
  • What if a Helper no longer wants to participate in the pilot program?
    We know two things to be true: water is wet, and military life means change. Part of the selection process for this pilot program is that we ask you to be available for at least one year. We have ad hoc/emergency roles, part-time and full-time. Availability depends on the role you are requesting. If a Helper completes the cohort and can only take on a few opportunities before their life circumstances change, we hope you use your new skills to benefit yourself and your family. Since OCC Project does not employ Helpers, there isn’t a contract obligation to serve for any period. If a Helper completes the cohort training and does NOT accept ANY requests for care in the year following their training, they may be required to cover the initial training cost.
  • How much do helpers charge?
    Since Helpers do not work for OCC Project and we are simply facilitating the program's harm reduction and professional development aspects, they are welcome to develop their own rates and payment procedures.
  • How are Helpers supported?
    Helpers receive all training and support free of charge, in fact, they receive a stipend of $250 just for completing the training. They are offered verified resources for many topics that are local to where they live. Each Helper receives two free hours of consultation with child care expert Nanny Yvonne to ask questions about being a caregiver, how to market yourself, or how to navigate a tricky situation with a family. Helpers set their schedules and are not required to answer all of the requests they receive; however, they do receive periodic incentives to cover care needs in the community.
  • Is this a Department of Defense program?
    No. The Department of Defense is focused on full-time child care access. This pilot was created as a community collaborative effort after seeing the need for emergency, ad hoc, and flexible care. If you are accepted into the Department of Defense CCYH Program, you are welcome to see if a Helper fits your family's needs.
  • How do I pay my Helper?
    That is entirely up to you and your Helper. If you are concerned about tax implications please reach out to OCC Project at info@occproject.org for a referral to one of our partners who offers a FREE consultation for families hiring private care.
  • Who can hire a helper?
    Helpers are not employees of OCC Project; that means anyone can! Partnering center directors will contact helpers interested in participating in the substitute provider pipeline to cover short-term staffing needs. Helpers are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED to use their free training, certifications, and skills to work for anyone in the community, with or without OCC Project.
  • Where do I apply to be a helper?
    Future Helpers can apply here: https://wkf.ms/42IJo5m . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
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