New CDC policies result from town hall meetings Published Feb. 21, 2008 By The Child Development Center CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Parents will have more flexibility in childcare time for their children enrolled in the base Child Development Center, a "leasing" plan for School Age Program slots is being developed, and a one-time enrollment of children into the program will replace a repetitive process. These were the major policy changes announced at town hall meetings hosted by the CDC on Jan. 17 and Feb. 5 at the base theater. "Parents will no longer pay additional fees for care over 10 hours a day unless they exceed 50 hours for that week," said Denise VanDerwarker, family member program flight chief. "The daily usage will be tracked and parents will only be charged for care beyond 50 hours per week." She added that although there will be no additional daily charges, parents must submit a waiver request for the additional hours. Sample forms are available at the Child Development Center. Another program being developed will allow parents going on vacation to "lease" their child's spot in the SAP to another family if both children are the same age. Ms. VanDerwarker said specific guidelines are being written and will be distributed to parents as soon as they are completed. As a result of feedback from parents, they can now continue the enrollment of their children in the SAP from one school year to the next. Previously, they had to register their children at the beginning of each school year. Open enrollment will also be held earlier so parents can better plan their childcare arrangements. The vast majority of the questions at the meeting concerned fee policies, said Ms. VanDerwarker. She explained that the fees charged pay approximately half the total cost of providing care and that taxes pay the other half. The fees, determined by family income, are primarily used to pay caregiver wages that are standardized across all similar Department of Defense programs. Cannon's fees, she said, are lower than national and state childcare fee averages and are lower than those of many other bases. The Secretary of Defense is currently reviewing current fee policies and fee ranges and it is anticipated there will be changes next year. Finally, an eight-page booklet containing frequently asked questions has been distributed to all parents who currently have their children enrolled in CDC programs. The booklet will also be available to parents of newly enrolled children. Ms. VanDerwarker said parents are invited to become active in the Parent Advisory Board, which meets monthly to share concerns, plan activities, and suggest improvements to both the CDC and SAP. For more information about programs, call Ms. VanDerwarker, Family Member Programs flight chief, at 784-2704 or Gloria Goff, CDC director, at 784-6259.