Calls for a Child Care Navigator position to support National Guard members in providing resources, training, activities, research, and family support.

On March 19, 2021, representatives from Joint Services Support, NGAW, and Army Family Readiness came together to discuss solutions for child care support. As vaccines were provided and restrictions lifted, Command Teams decided to implement back-to-drill in-person for all Guardsmen. The issue at hand was the lack of child care availability for Guardsmen's Parents. The work-from-home option provided flexibility for Guardsmen. (We could insert cases here where Soldiers left the military—I believe Deb had a story on this.)

Through the facilitation of resources available and research on what was done previously to address childcare concerns (survey done by Army Family Readiness in 2019), the team decided to put together a survey to see if there was indeed a current problem in childcare for Guardsmen. Based on the Survey, the team had several goals: education on available resources, a dedicated employee to assist Guardsmen with childcare needs, and gaining military leadership support.
The Survey Results:

197 Responses
87 Army 59 Air 4 State Guard
145 w/kids in childcare (74%)
119 have experienced issues while serving in a National Guard capacity (60%)
133 they would take advantage of onsite childcare on drill weekends (68%)
109 people said they do not know who to turn to for childcare support and resources (55%)
2 most common limitations for accessing childcare were cost & availability (29%)

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States urges the Congress of the United States to pursue child care programs equal to active duty as a readiness and retention tool.