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Imagine balancing a life where your spouse is deployed, your kids need round-the-clock attention, and you're trying to keep your own career or life on track. Now, throw in the challenge of finding affordable, reliable child care—and the picture becomes even more stressful. This is the reality for many military families, and it’s exactly the issue that Kayla Corbitt, founder of the Operation Child Care Project (OCCP), is fighting to solve.
In a recent interview on The Goode Show, Corbitt talked about the ongoing child care dilemma facing military families and how OCCP is leading the charge to fix it. From battling long waitlists for on-base care to addressing the high costs of off-base options, Corbitt dives deep into the multifaceted problem and the real solutions OCCP is offering. Let’s break down the highlights of her interview and see why child care is such a critical issue for military families.
The Child Care Problem: A Unique Military Struggle
While child care can be a challenge for any parent, military families face unique obstacles. Corbitt points out that frequent relocations and unpredictable schedules make it harder for military families to secure stable child care. Every time a family moves to a new base, they’re essentially starting from scratch—new schools, new jobs, and, of course, a new search for child care.
Most families rely on Child Development Centers (CDCs) located on military bases, but as Corbitt explains, these centers are often overwhelmed with demand. Waitlists can be months long, and many families simply can’t wait that long to secure care. For military spouses who need to work or manage a household while their partner is deployed, this puts them in an impossible situation.
Off-base child care is the next option, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Corbitt shared in The Goode Show interview that many families end up paying thousands of dollars a month just to cover child care costs. For some, the costs are so high that the spouse may have to leave the workforce entirely. This is a frustrating dilemma—military families shouldn’t have to choose between financial stability and affordable child care.
The Emotional Toll: Why Child Care is More Than Just Logistics
In the interview, Corbitt also emphasizes that child care is more than just a logistical issue—it’s a lifeline for military families. Many spouses are left to shoulder the bulk of child-rearing and household responsibilities while their partner is deployed, and without reliable child care, the emotional strain can be overwhelming.
Corbitt points out that the lack of child care leads to burnout. Military spouses are already managing the challenges of solo parenting and running a household, and when they don’t have the time or resources for self-care or professional growth, the stress compounds. She explains that child care isn’t just about making sure the kids are watched—it’s about giving military parents the time and space they need to care for themselves and thrive.
And let’s not forget the children. Military kids often face unique emotional challenges due to the transient nature of military life. With one or both parents deployed or working long hours, these kids need consistent, nurturing care to help them navigate their ever-changing world. Corbitt stresses that quality child care providers can offer much-needed stability and support for these children, allowing them to flourish even in the face of uncertainty.
How OCCP is Providing Solutions
Of course, identifying the problem is only half the battle. What sets Kayla Corbitt and OCCP apart is their determination to find solutions. In the interview, Corbitt breaks down how her organization is making a real difference in the lives of military families.
Advocacy for Policy Changes: Corbitt explains that OCCP is working hard to advocate for policy changes that will make child care more accessible to military families. This includes pushing for increased funding for Child Development Centers, expanding capacity so that more families can get off the waitlist and into care sooner. OCCP is also advocating for subsidies that would help cover the high costs of off-base care, ensuring that no family is left struggling to afford care.
Community Partnerships: Another key aspect of OCCP’s approach is building partnerships with local communities and child care providers near military bases. Corbitt shared that OCCP is helping to establish networks of trusted child care providers who offer flexible care arrangements and military-friendly pricing. These partnerships are essential for filling the gaps when on-base care isn’t available, and they help ensure that families have options, even if they can’t get into the CDCs.
Financial Assistance: OCCP also provides financial assistance to families who are struggling to cover child care costs. Corbitt mentions that many families don’t know about the various subsidies, scholarships, and grants available to them, and part of OCCP’s mission is to educate military families about these resources. By helping families navigate the complex world of financial aid, OCCP is helping make child care more affordable for military families.
Supporting Child Care Providers: Corbitt and her team are also focused on ensuring that child care providers are equipped to handle the unique needs of military families. Many military children face emotional challenges due to frequent moves and separations from their deployed parents, and it’s important that caregivers understand and address these needs. OCCP provides training and support to child care providers, helping them create nurturing environments for military kids.
The Bigger Picture: Child Care and Military Retention
One of the more intriguing points Corbitt makes in the interview is the link between child care and military retention. When military families struggle with child care, it affects not just their day-to-day lives, but also their long-term commitment to military life. Corbitt explains that many military families consider leaving the service earlier than planned because the logistical challenges—like child care—become too great.
This is why OCCP’s work is not just about helping families in the short term—it’s about supporting the entire military community. By ensuring that military families have access to affordable, reliable child care, OCCP is helping to reduce the stress on service members and their families, ultimately contributing to greater retention rates in the military.
Real-Life Success Stories: How OCCP is Changing Lives
In the interview, Corbitt shares some real-life examples of how OCCP is making a tangible difference for military families. One story that stands out is about a military spouse who was on the verge of quitting her job because she couldn’t find affordable care for her two children. Through OCCP’s network, she was able to connect with a trusted local child care provider, allowing her to stay in the workforce and continue supporting her family.
These success stories are more than just anecdotes—they’re proof that OCCP’s work is creating real change. Corbitt’s mission is clear: no military family should have to choose between financial stability and quality care for their children.
A Call to Action for Military Child Care
Kayla Corbitt’s interview on The Goode Show is a powerful reminder of the ongoing child care crisis facing military families. Through OCCP, Corbitt is tackling this issue head-on, advocating for policy changes, building community partnerships, and providing financial assistance to families in need.
Military families have enough on their plates, and child care shouldn’t be an added burden. Thanks to Corbitt’s leadership and the work of OCCP, more families are finding the support they need to thrive, both at home and in their military careers.
Takeaways:
Military families face unique child care challenges, including frequent relocations, long waitlists for on-base care, and high off-base costs.
Child care is essential for the well-being of military spouses and children, providing stability and reducing emotional strain.
OCCP is advocating for policy changes, financial assistance, and community partnerships to make child care more accessible and affordable.
Child care is linked to military retention, as families may leave the service due to logistical challenges like finding reliable care.
OCCP is making a real difference, helping families navigate child care options and stay financially stable while raising their children.
For more insights from Kayla Corbitt, listen to her full interview on The Goode Show here.
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