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.
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Courtney O.
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Danna M.
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Katherine C.
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Lily P.
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Lori K.
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Martha C.
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Megan C.
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Meike B.
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Olga B.
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Raquel S.
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Rebekah Z.
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Shadine D.
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Sofia A.
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Terera H.
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Vivian K.
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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," allowing them to meet and exceed the DoD requirements of a private caregiver. 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.
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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 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.
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​Demonstrate what a true community collaborative program is by building a program from the ground up, relying on the feedback of those served.​
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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:
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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.
Program Benefits:
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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.
Partners
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Step 1: Initial ConsultAt Operation Child Care Projectâ„¢, 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!
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Step 2: Comprehensive AssessmentOur 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.
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Step 3: Resource IdentificationFinding 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.
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Step 4: Plan DevelopmentAt Operation Child Care Projectâ„¢, 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.
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Step 5: Implementation & SupportOperation Child Care Projectâ„¢ 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 Projectâ„¢ 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.
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Step 6: Follow-up & AdjustmentOnce a solution is in place, Operation Child Care Projectâ„¢ 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 Projectâ„¢ 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 Projectâ„¢ apart and reflects their dedication to providing personalized and responsive support to families in need of childcare services.
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Step 7: ResolutionOperation Child Care Projectâ„¢'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 Projectâ„¢ 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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General FAQsPlease see https://www.occproject.org/case-management for answers about our process and how to request or offer help.