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We were recently joined by guest speaker Tara Brandt for our latest Ask Me Anything session. This was prompted and inspired by both military family case management needs and recent news around federal funding for child care.
It is more crucial than ever for families to comprehend how military programs are managed and funded, as well as to use the correct terminology to ensure they know where to seek help when they encounter difficulties.
You can watch the video available on YouTube here and access the slide deck used for the presentation here. The key takeaways from this session are below.
Key Takeaways:
Where the Money Comes From
Military child care programs are funded in two ways:
Appropriated Funds (APF): This is money allocated by Congress through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It supports the Military Fee Assistance Program (MCCYN) and is protected from government funding freezes.
Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF): This money comes from on-base businesses like bowling alleys, golf courses, and other recreational services. It helps fund on-base Child Development Centers (CDCs) and Family Child Care (FCC) providers.
The key takeaway? APF money is stable, but NAF money is tied to business performance on base, which can lead to funding challenges.
Military Fee Assistance vs. Installation-Based Care
Military Fee Assistance (MCCYN): Helps families pay for civilian child care off-base.
On-Base CDC/FCC Care: Managed by the installation itself, with funding influenced by a mix of parent fees and military budget decisions.
Parent fees are based on household income, and installations adjust their fee levels depending on their community’s needs.
Misunderstandings About Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA)
Many families think Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA) runs the military fee assistance program, but that’s not true. CCAoA is simply a third-party administrator (TPA)—basically a contractor that processes paperwork. They don’t make decisions about funding or exceptions to policy. All requests for care must begin at militarychildcare.com.
If you have an issue with your child care assistance, your military branch, not CCAoA, is who you need to talk to.
Getting the Right Help & Advocacy
If you’re struggling with child care, knowing where to go matters.
Each branch has a program administrator for military fee assistance. If you’re stuck in paperwork loops or getting nowhere with a request, go straight to your branch instead of waiting on a TPA to resolve it.
Installations make their own staffing and budget decisions. Sometimes they’re operating at a loss, which is why child care center hours or fees might shift.
Please see this slide deck to access the email addresses needed for the MCCYN or CCYH programs
Becoming an FCC Provider (Home-Based Child Care)
If you’re interested in becoming a Family Child Care (FCC) provider, you have to go through your installation’s process to get licensed.
Some bases have sped up this process to make it easier for providers to get started.
Even though FCC providers run their own businesses, they still have to follow installation rules and priority placements for military families.
Exceptions to Policy & Special Circumstances
If you’re an Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) adult (i.e., a military spouse with medical needs), you do not qualify for any of the programs which inherently have employment or school requirements.
In these cases, you’ll likely need to request an exception to policy (ETP) to qualify for fee assistance or on-base care.
These requests go up to your military branch for MCCYN, not a third-party administrator like CCAoA.
Why Speaking Up Matters
Every base operates differently, and leadership might not always have the full picture of what families need. If child care decisions aren’t working for your situation, say something. Speak with coordinators, escalate concerns, and don’t take the first “no” as the final answer.
Operation Child Care Project (OCCP) is here to help families navigate the system, push for exceptions when needed, and take some of the burden off parents who are stuck.
Final Thoughts
Use the right language when talking about these programs. If you say "Child Care Aware," you might get sent to the wrong place. It’s Military Fee Assistance (Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood or MCCYN), not a grant or third-party program.
Know where to escalate—installation child care coordinators, branch administrators, and if needed, organizations like OCCP can help.
Persistence matters—if you’re getting stuck, keep pushing. There’s usually a way forward, but you have to ask the right people.
As always we are here to support you through our case management team.
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