Covenant continues to provide for Army children

The goal of the Army Family Covenant is clear-cut - take care of not only Soldiers, but also families who have endured eight years of hardships as troops deployed downrange numerous times.
That promise also includes supporting the service's youngest members: sons and daughters of Soldiers.
"Since the Army Family Covenant signing two years ago, our Child, Youth and School Services directorate has focused on improving and standardizing existing programs, as well as ensuring we can support families ... when our Army is at war," said M. A. Lucas, director of the Family director of the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command's CYS Services.
A notable deployment-cycle-support initiative the Army implemented after the Covenant signing in late 2008: providing increased assistance to families during a Soldier's deployment as well as to Warriors in Transition families. The Army provides 16 hours of respite childcare, per child per month, at no cost for families of deployed or wounded or fallen Soldiers.
The Covenant also provides these families free childcare during medical appointments; reduced child care fees during other times; and has eliminated fees for children to participate in four CYS Services instructional classes and two individual sports during a unit's deployment cycle.
At Belvoir, 153 children of deployed Soldiers and DoD civilians received mission level one care; 36 families enrolled as eligible to receive Wounded Warrior benefits; and, four families enrolled to receive fallen Soldier benefits.
Another example of how the Covenant allows CYS Services to help Army families is the elimination of initial registration fees and reduction of program charges.
Fort Belvoir has had more than 7,781 participants in CYS Services with 1,939 free hours of hourly care services provided. Additionally, 3,536 children have received a registration fee waiver; 181 families have received free SKIES classes; 79 families have received a free sports program; 39 families have received a 20 percent discount on fees; and, 16 families have received Category one fees.
Overall, the Army ensures all installation CYS Services are DoD certified, which is the military equivalent to meeting state licensing requirements, and that all child development centers and School Age programs are accredited by national professional accrediting agencies.
"We intend to sustain our commitment to the principle established in the Army Family Covenant," stressed Lucas. "We will ensure that excellence in programs and services for military children and youth is our top priority."
Moreover, Lucas noted, "We are committed to ensuring excellence in these services, no matter how large or small the Army installation may be."
Story compiled from reports by Fort Belvoir's DFMWRC and FMWRC Public Affairs.