Kayla Corbitt’s Mission to Solve Military Families’ Child Care Crisis

Military life is full of twists and turns—frequent relocations, unpredictable deployments, and long periods of separation. But perhaps one of the least talked about, yet most challenging aspects of military life, is finding reliable, affordable child care. For many military families, securing quality care is nothing short of a juggling act. Fortunately, Kayla Corbitt, founder of the Operation Child Care Project (OCCP), has made it her mission to tackle this critical issue head-on.

In a recent interview with MilHousing Nation, Corbitt breaks down the child care challenges that military families face and shares how OCCP is providing real solutions. Whether you're a military parent in the thick of the child care scramble or simply curious about the unseen struggles of military life, this blog post will unpack Corbitt’s key insights and the ways OCCP is making a difference.

The Child Care Dilemma: More Than Just a Waiting Game

One of the first things Kayla Corbitt points out in her interview is that military families are constantly on the move. Every time they relocate, they’re not just leaving behind friends, schools, and routines—they’re also leaving behind trusted child care providers. When families arrive at a new duty station, they’re often faced with long waitlists at the on-base Child Development Centers (CDCs). And for many, getting a spot at a CDC is a game of luck, with some families waiting months or even years.

Corbitt describes the frustration military parents feel when they’ve moved, gotten settled into a new home, but still can’t secure reliable child care. For military spouses who work, study, or even need a few hours of care to manage household responsibilities, this wait can turn their lives upside down. And as Corbitt highlights, when military parents can’t access child care, it impacts not just their work-life balance but their mental and emotional health as well.

The High Costs of Off-Base Child Care

While on-base CDCs offer a lifeline for military families, their limited availability often forces families to turn to off-base care options. In the podcast, Corbitt digs into the financial reality of this: off-base child care is expensive—sometimes prohibitively so. For families living in high-cost areas, child care can rival a second mortgage, eating away at household savings and adding more stress to an already financially tight situation.

Corbitt emphasizes that military families shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table or paying for child care. Yet, that’s the harsh reality for many. The strain of paying thousands of dollars for care every month often forces military spouses to leave the workforce, sacrificing career aspirations just to make ends meet.

Why It Matters: The Bigger Picture

Corbitt also makes an important point during her interview—this issue isn’t just about individual families. It has a broader impact on military retention and readiness. When military families struggle to find reliable child care, it puts additional strain on service members who are already dealing with the challenges of deployment and relocation. Corbitt explains that many military families leave the service early because the logistical challenges, including child care, become too much to handle.

By solving the child care problem, OCCP is helping to support not just individual families but the military community as a whole. When families have access to quality child care, service members can focus on their missions without worrying about what’s happening at home. This, in turn, contributes to greater military readiness and retention.

Real Success Stories: OCCP in Action

One of the most inspiring parts of Corbitt’s interview is hearing about the real success stories that have come out of OCCP’s work. She talks about military families who were struggling to find care until OCCP stepped in, connecting them with local providers or securing financial assistance that made child care affordable. These stories show that OCCP isn’t just talking the talk—they’re walking the walk and making a real difference in the lives of military families.

A Lifeline for Military Families

Kayla Corbitt’s interview on Spotify shines a spotlight on an often-overlooked issue: the child care crisis facing military families. Through OCCP, Corbitt is working tirelessly to provide real solutions—whether that’s advocating for policy changes, building community partnerships, or offering financial assistance.

Military life is hard enough without the added burden of finding child care. Thanks to Corbitt’s leadership and the work of OCCP, more military families are getting the support they need to thrive both at home and on the job.

For more insights from Kayla Corbitt, listen to her full interview on Spotify here.