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Information, feedback, and answers to questions raised from a Child and Youth Programs Town Hall are available on a revamped 86fss.com website that aims to streamline communication.
The Town Hall, held Oct. 10, encouraged community discussion about youth-related programs ranging from child care to youth sports offered on Ramstein Air Base and Vogelweh Military Complex.
U.S. Air Force Col. John Zapata, 86th Mission Support Group commander, said the event’s purpose was to open a dialogue about successes, challenges, and potential solutions for the community.
“We know how important the Child Care and Youth Program services are to our families and our entire community,” said Zapata. “It’s an essential service for all working parents and a vital part of our sense of community and quality of life. While we believe we have identified many of the concerns regarding the Child and Youth Program services, we want to continually hear from our parents on ways we can improve.”
According to officials, Ramstein and Vogelweh offer a full range of child development programs to include full care, hourly care, and a rental slot program. Six facilities on Ramstein and Vogelweh are used to support the Child Development Center program with a total capacity of nearly 500 spaces. Ramstein also provides additional care for more than 50 children through 10 licensed Family Child Care homes. Later this fall, an additional five homes are scheduled to open, pending licensing approval. Ramstein and Vogelweh Youth Programs also provide the largest youth recreation, sports, and instructional programs in the U.S. Air Force, with more than 7,000 annual participants.
When looking for child care, MilitaryChildCare.com is a one-stop shop for finding comprehensive information on child care programs worldwide to include the KMC area. The program assists with customizing your search and submitting requests for care prior to arriving at your next duty location.
“I hope our parents stay engaged and understand that this issue is my number one priority,” Zapata said. “While we are making progress to improve our capacity and capabilities, we must continue to stay engaged. To do this we need the entire community’s support and help.”
The Child Development Center, School Age Care, Family Child Care, and Youth Programs are interested in hiring individuals willing and qualified to join the current team of professionals. There are also plenty of opportunities to volunteer as a coach for the Youth Sports program, said Zapata.
“If you are willing to make your community a better place to live and work and enjoy grooming the next generation of great Americans, join us and we will support you in getting set up,” said Zapata. “With your help, I am confident we can further increase our Child Care and Youth Program capacity and capabilities.”
For more information about the town hall, visit www.86fss.com. For questions regarding MilitaryChildCare.com, contact the Ramstein Resources and Referral Office at 480-8782.
