DoD adjusts child care fees

WASHINGTON (WAVY) - The Defense Department announced Friday it is adjusting its child care fees, adding categories for its highest income earners, to compensate for six years without fee range increases.

The department's Military and Community Family Policy Office has added three categories to the top of its fee schedule to go into effect by September 30, Barbara Thompson, director, office of family policy, children and youth, said during an interview with American Forces Press Service and The Pentagon Channel. Each service will issue specific fee guidelines, including exceptions to the fee schedule, and adopt fees within the policy office's ranges, she said.

The adjustment brings the number of fee categories to nine, causing some people to move into different categories, Thompson said. In the previous fee schedule, which has been in effect since 2004, everyone with a total family income of $70,001 or more was in Category VI – the top level – and paid an average of $124 per child per week, she said.

Under the new schedule, families with a total family income between $73,501 and $85,000 will be in Category VI and will pay between $122 and $130 per child per week, still under $3 per hour for a 50-hour week, Thompson said. Here is the new fee schedule:

- Category I – incomes of $29,400 or below – will pay between $44-$59 per week;

- Category II – incomes from $29,401 to $35,700 – will pay between $60-$74 per week;

- Category III – incomes from $35,701 to $46,200 – will pay between $75-$90 per week;

- Category IV – incomes from $46,201 to $57,750 – will pay between $91-$105 per week;

- Category V – incomes from $57,751 to $73,500 – will pay between $106-$121 per week;

- Category VI – incomes from $73,501 to $85,000 – will pay between $122-$130 per week;

- Category VII – incomes from $85,001 to $100,000 – will pay between $131-$133 per week;

- Category VIII – incomes from $100,001 to $125,000 – will pay between $134-$136 per week;

- Category IX – incomes of $125,001 or above – will pay between $137-$139 per week.

There is a high cost option for installations that meet specific criteria due to the high cost of living and high staff salaries.

"This is the first time in six years that the Defense Department has adjusted fee ranges. The action follows an in-depth study that determined that fee ranges were no longer in sync with the total family income for the majority of program users," said Robert L. Gordon III, deputy under secretary of defense, military community and family policy. "As a result of this adjustment, we broadened and added income ranges to achieve greater equity within our military community."

The fee policy represents a balanced solution to the issue of adjusting fees to pay caregiver salaries while limiting the financial impact on the family. Competitive salaries help to recruit and retain quality staff. Retaining high quality staff contributes to continuity of care.

"Ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of the military children entrusted to our care is a number one priority," said Gordon. "We are committed to high quality care for our military children, which includes attracting talented child care staff whose compensation is competitive with the civilian sector."

Ninety-eight percent of DoD's child development centers are nationally accredited compared to 8 to 10 percent of community childcare centers. National accreditation means a commitment of providing high quality services, including a developmentally appropriate curriculum, a healthy and safe environment, sufficient number of adults per children in group sizes appropriate for children's ages; and strong communication between staff and families.

"Child care is a readiness issue. We will continue striving to provide quality care to support our working parents," said Gordon.

"We understand that these are tough economic times for families, but we did this very deliberately after careful study," Thompson said. "When you look at what you're getting for your child care fees, it's a wonderful opportunity in a high-quality care environment."

(Compiled, in part, from report by Lisa Daniel, American Forces Press Service)