The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has joined forces with the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance affordable child care options for military-affiliated families in Tennessee. The collaboration, developed in conjunction with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Fort Campbell, aims to support active-duty military members across the state.
This initiative allows eligible Tennessee child care providers to participate in the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) program, which offers payment assistance for military families. Providers with a quality score between 80 and 100 in TDHS’s Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) are eligible, ensuring they meet state health, safety, and licensing standards.
Latest TN News
Governor Bill Lee emphasized the importance of affordable child care, stating, “Through this partnership with the Department of Defense, we are giving Tennessee servicemembers the support they deserve.” TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter added, “This partnership is one way we can give back to those who serve our country.”
Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia of Fort Campbell expressed enthusiasm, noting the program’s significance for Army families. The MCCYN-PLUS program helps military families access quality early education and reduces child care costs. The U.S. Department of Defense has increased the provider rate cap to a maximum of $1800 per month per child to further support this effort.
For more details on family eligibility, visit militarychildcare.com. Child care providers interested in participating can find information at Child Care Aware.
The TDHS serves nearly two million Tennesseans through various programs aimed at empowering citizens to become contributing members of their communities. For more information, visit the Tennessee Department of Human Services.
Source: Read Original Release
Tennessee AG Promotes VSAFE for Veteran Protection
The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office is promoting VSAFE, a comprehensive resource aimed at protecting veterans from fraud. VSAFE provides a centralized website and hotline to inform and assist the military community in reporting and recovering from fraud. It streamlines the process by consolidating resources from multiple federal agencies, making it easier for veterans and their families to safeguard their personal and financial information. For additional details, visit the VSAFE website.