Marine Corps Base Quantico --
Off base child care subsidy will no longer be given at a
flat rate of $250 per child but will be based on Total Family Income, according
to Marine Administrative Message 570/14.
“Marine families with a lower income will benefit with an
increased amount of fee assistance applied to their monthly child care cost,”
said Belynda Smith, Children, Youth & Teen Programs section head, Marine
and Family Programs Division.
The new subsidy will be calculated using the difference
between the DOD Fee based on TFI and the provider’s rate, which shall not
exceed $900, the maximum fair market rate.
For example, “A category 4 family who would pay $103
weekly (at an on base facility), multiply that by 4.33 weeks, they would pay
$445.99 a month. If the family chooses (an off base) program that costs $900
then the USMC would pay $454. If the family chooses a program that costs $1,100
then the family would pay $645.99, an additional $200,” said Smith.
Another change to the Off Base Child Care Fee Assistance
Program was the additional eligibility of school-aged children who attend
school in the community and do not have transportation to installation care.
Marine families must meet eligibility requirements in
order to receive fee assistance. These requirements include, but are not
limited to: the Marine must be in an active duty status for a minimum of 31
days, the Marine family must live more than 15 miles from a Marine Corps Child
Development Program, the child must live with the Marine when not deployed, and
families must re-certify annually.
“On installation services were not reduced,” said Smith.
“Changes to the Fee Assistance Program are not related to installation-based
budget reduction efforts.”
To complete an application or for more information on the
Off Base Child Care Fee Assistance Program, visit www.NACCRRA.org/Military-Families
or call 1-800-793-0324.
rebekka.heite@usmc.mil