Editor’s Note. The following commander’s Action Line question was edited for accuracy, brevity and clarity.
QUESTION: I have a question regarding why the extended hours for day care, (child development centers and before and after care) were canceled. I am aware they were set in place to accommodate the exercise that was canceled for real-world events. However, the same individuals who required extended day care hours for the exercise are working extended hours to accomplish the real-world mission.
I am aware of the programs in place to accommodate through Family Child Care providers, but to me, because a large population is affected the same as if it were an exercise (probably more so), it would warrant extended hours.
To me, the whole reason we have an exercise is to practice for the real thing. Well, here is the real thing. If we have extended hours for an exercise, why would we not have them to accomplish our important mission here in the KMC?
ANSWER: Thank you for sharing your concerns. We understand how expanded work demands in support of our military mission, whether an exercise or real-world, can create additional need for child care. In order to support our military families who are called to duty, there are several measures in place to ensure our Ramstein family is taken care of.
In a real-world situation, families are expected to activate their Air Force Form 357, Family Care Certification. The AF Form 357 is required for all dual- and single-military personnel, outlining family care responsibilities pertaining to the performance of military duty. The AF Form 357 is the plan for families to arrange for the care of the family so military members may be available during duty hours, exercises, unaccompanied tours, alerts, temporary duty, extended duty hours, permanent change of station or permanent change of assignment and similar military obligations. Arrangements for care do not include CDC or school age programs.
During an exercise, the entire base population is working together to successfully demonstrate its ability to respond to real-world situations. During real-world events, the entire base population may not be actively participating to the same degree as during an exercise. Some units, squadrons or other base organizations may have greater demands placed upon them during a real-world event. In addition, an exercise takes place for a limited period of time. If a CDC or SAP were to open its doors for extended hours to a handful of families on an on-going basis, the financial impact to the installation would be remarkable. To support those families needing care before and after CDC/SAP hours, the Air Force has the Extended Duty Care program.
The FCC and EDC offer free child care, open to active duty, Air National Guard, Reserves and Department of Defense civilians. They assist families in obtaining high-quality child care when weekly parental workloads, due to extended duty hours, exceed hours provided at the CDC or SAP. It is care that is available days, nights and weekends.
EDC can be used on a temporary basis for on-base, mission-related duty, extended duty days, temporary shift changes (not to exceed three days), rapid mobilization, dual/single military deployment until children are picked up by AF Form 357 designee (not to exceed three days), no-notice/short-notice TDY, if no other family member is available, and if EDC need has been verified with supervisor. Please make note that requests to exceed the three-day time limit are sent to U.S. Air Forces in Europe in advance for approval.
EDC cannot be used on a regular, recurring basis. It cannot be used to meet parents’ regular child care requirements, to provide shift-work care where shift-work is a typical assignment, during physical training, to provide hourly care for non-duty-related reasons, for off-duty education and employment on a recurring basis, for holidays, family days, CDC/SAP/FCC home closure, or to attend air shows or base functions.
If interested in finding out more about EDC or if you’d like to enroll in the program, contact our FCC office at 478-7420/21 or 06371-406-7420/21.
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Editor’s Note. The following commander’s Action Line question was edited for accuracy, brevity and clarity.
QUESTION: I have a question regarding why the extended hours for day care, (child development centers and before and after care) were canceled. I am aware they were set in place to accommodate the exercise that was canceled for real-world events. However, the same individuals who required extended day care hours for the exercise are working extended hours to accomplish the real-world mission.
I am aware of the programs in place to accommodate through Family Child Care providers, but to me, because a large population is affected the same as if it were an exercise (probably more so), it would warrant extended hours.
To me, the whole reason we have an exercise is to practice for the real thing. Well, here is the real thing. If we have extended hours for an exercise, why would we not have them to accomplish our important mission here in the KMC?
ANSWER: Thank you for sharing your concerns. We understand how expanded work demands in support of our military mission, whether an exercise or real-world, can create additional need for child care. In order to support our military families who are called to duty, there are several measures in place to ensure our Ramstein family is taken care of.
In a real-world situation, families are expected to activate their Air Force Form 357, Family Care Certification. The AF Form 357 is required for all dual- and single-military personnel, outlining family care responsibilities pertaining to the performance of military duty. The AF Form 357 is the plan for families to arrange for the care of the family so military members may be available during duty hours, exercises, unaccompanied tours, alerts, temporary duty, extended duty hours, permanent change of station or permanent change of assignment and similar military obligations. Arrangements for care do not include CDC or school age programs.
During an exercise, the entire base population is working together to successfully demonstrate its ability to respond to real-world situations. During real-world events, the entire base population may not be actively participating to the same degree as during an exercise. Some units, squadrons or other base organizations may have greater demands placed upon them during a real-world event. In addition, an exercise takes place for a limited period of time. If a CDC or SAP were to open its doors for extended hours to a handful of families on an on-going basis, the financial impact to the installation would be remarkable. To support those families needing care before and after CDC/SAP hours, the Air Force has the Extended Duty Care program.
The FCC and EDC offer free child care, open to active duty, Air National Guard, Reserves and Department of Defense civilians. They assist families in obtaining high-quality child care when weekly parental workloads, due to extended duty hours, exceed hours provided at the CDC or SAP. It is care that is available days, nights and weekends.
EDC can be used on a temporary basis for on-base, mission-related duty, extended duty days, temporary shift changes (not to exceed three days), rapid mobilization, dual/single military deployment until children are picked up by AF Form 357 designee (not to exceed three days), no-notice/short-notice TDY, if no other family member is available, and if EDC need has been verified with supervisor. Please make note that requests to exceed the three-day time limit are sent to U.S. Air Forces in Europe in advance for approval.
EDC cannot be used on a regular, recurring basis. It cannot be used to meet parents’ regular child care requirements, to provide shift-work care where shift-work is a typical assignment, during physical training, to provide hourly care for non-duty-related reasons, for off-duty education and employment on a recurring basis, for holidays, family days, CDC/SAP/FCC home closure, or to attend air shows or base functions.
If interested in finding out more about EDC or if you’d like to enroll in the program, contact our FCC office at 478-7420/21 or 06371-406-7420/21.