HomeFront Help Pilot Program for Eglin and Hurlburt Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Lyndsey Akers, Marketing Lead, Lyndsey@akers.co 

Operation Child Care Project Announces HomeFront Help Pilot for Eglin and Hurlburt Community

 Revolutionizing Child Care Access for Military Families

October 15, 2024 – [Fort Walton Beach, Florida] – The Operation Child Care Project (OCCP), a nationwide nonprofit run by military spouses, is excited to announce the launch of its groundbreaking HomeFront Help (HFH) Community Pilot Program. This initiative, a first of its kind developed by and for the military community, addresses a longstanding gap in child care access, offering a lifeline to military families who have struggled to find emergency, ad hoc, and part-time care.

Introducing HomeFront Help (HFH): A New Era of Support

In partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast and the Air & Space Forces Association, OCCP’s HomeFront Help pilot program delivers innovative solutions through scholarships, stipends, and training for individuals who want to make a difference as child care “Helpers” in their local communities. Once trained, these Helpers, many of whom will be military spouses, will provide high-quality care that exceeds the standards required by the Department of Defense to participate in their Child Care in Your Home pilot. This unique initiative offers:

• Free Adult and Pediatric CPR/First Aid Certification

• Free FBI, State Criminal History, and Child Safety Background Checks

• 40 hours of free provider training

• Free Special Needs and Behavioral training

• Two Free Hours of one-on-one consulting with industry care experts

• Free self-employment training

Helpers who complete the program will be added to a locally managed database, connecting military families with vetted, safe, and reliable child care providers. They will also be eligible to assist local child care facilities, bridging staffing gaps and increasing access to child care for military families across the community.

“Access to quality child care is a nationwide crisis. This issue uniquely challenges military families due to frequent relocations, overflowing waitlists, and the non-traditional working schedules of service members,” said Kayla Corbitt, CEO of Operation Child Care Project and Army Spouse. “While great strides have been made in the Fort Walton Beach area, families stationed at Eglin and Hurlburt face some of the longest waitlists and child care shortages in the Department of Defense (DOD). We are committed to filling those gaps with our pilot offering training and incentives to child care helpers that meet and exceed DOD standards for certifications.”

How to Help: Become a Helper, Support Military Families, and Strengthen Your Community

Whether you're a military spouse, an aspiring early education professional, or a community member looking to make a difference, HomeFront Help offers a unique opportunity to provide vital services to military families. Military family members will be prioritized to participate in this cohort, creating flexible and creative employment opportunities tailored to the needs of those who serve our country. OCCP is actively recruiting Helpers for the program pilot near Eglin and Hurlburt Air Force Bases to attend training November 16-17, 2024. 

HomeFront Help’s Benefits for the Entire Community:

• Aspiring Early Education Professionals: Gain the skills, training, and qualifications to thrive in the child care industry.

• Military Families: Enjoy increased access to safe, reliable, and flexible care options so you can focus on the mission.

• Local Communities: With partnerships like the Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast, HomeFront Help will address staffing shortages in child care facilities, ensuring greater availability for military families.

This program is made possible through the support of our community partners and sponsors, who share our mission of making child care accessible and equitable for all military families. In collaboration with the Air & Space Forces Association’s United Forces and Families (F2) program, the OCCP HomeFront Helpers Pilot for Eglin and Hurlburt is further supported by The Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast, Kids Discovery, IGY6 Company, Victor & Valor and Home Builders Institute. 

Ready to Get Involved?

Join us in creating a brighter future for military families. To learn more or sign up, please reach out to homefronthelpfl@occproject.org.

About Operation Child Care Project (OCC Project)

The Operation Child Care Project is a nonprofit organization, founded and led by military spouses, that is dedicated to improving child care access and equity for military families. By working one-on-one with families and developing community-centered solutions, OCCP is closing the gap in child care services for those who serve.