Coast Guard Active Duty Crew Member/GSA Child Care Subsidy Initiative

Active duty members will be able to use any federal child care center, or any state licensed child care facility in the Continental United States (CONUS) and outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) which includes child development centers as well as in-home child care providers and be charged the same rate they would be charged if they were receiving child care at a military base facility. All Coast Guard active duty crew members and active duty reservists called to action for 180 days or longer are eligible. The provider will charge the regular federal rate and the difference between the Coast Guard child care fee and the Federal Center fee will be reimbursed to the child care provider.

The benefit is available to families with a Total Family Income "TFI" of $75,000.00 or less. Qualified members may be entitled to subsidy benefits in accordance with the benefit table as established by the U.S. Coast Guard. This benefit is not taxable to the member.

Tuiton Rate Chart and Benefit Table

All questions on eligibility and application for the subsidy should be addressed to the GSA Heartland Finance Center. All questions on center enrollment policies should be addressed to the child care center.

Federal Childcare Providers will:

• Help market to and advertise to the target Coast Guard population
• Direct all questions to Judy L. Gonzales 1 (866) 508-0371 or uscoastguardchildcare@gsa.gov at the GSA Heartland Finance Center
• Fill out the Finance form to include, Federal ID number and Bank Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Information
• Send an invoice for services to the GSA Heartland Finance Center
• Receive payment by EFT from the GSA Heartland Finance Center

Participationg Parents will:

Are required to submit the following information to the GSA Heartland Finance Center:

1. Child Care Application - Parent GSA Form 3674
2. Child Care Provider Application OPM 1644
3. Your most recent Federal 1040 Tax Form
4. A copy of your ID Card or Active Duty Orders
5. A copy of your childcare provider's license
6. A copy of your most recent Leave and Earnings statement "LES"
7. A copy of your spouse's most recent pay statement or student school schedule (member's spouse must work outside of the home a minimum of 30 hours per week or attend school outside the home a minimum of 12 credit hours, or a combination of both)

The completed package should be submitted to GSA via any one of the following:

Fax: (816) 823-5445

Email: uscoastguardchildcare@gsa.gov

US Mail:

GSA, External Services Division (BCED)
1500 E Bannister Road, Room 1061
Kansas City, MO 64131

Upon review of the completed application package, GSA will calculate the member benefit amount and notify the child care facility and member of the benefit.