The Department of Defense (DoD) has created several programs to provide military families with quality, affordable child care. The DoD currently oversees 800 Child Development Centers (CDCs) located on military installations worldwide that offer a safe child care environment and meet professional standards for early childhood education. Child care is typically available through these centers for children ages six weeks to twelve years.  The DoD also oversees the Family Child Care (FCC) programs that provide in-home care by installation-certified providers. FCC programs help bridge gaps in child care when the CDC does not entirely meet the child care needs of the family.  An additional component of military child care is the School Age Care (SAC) program, which meets the needs of children ages six to twelve years and provides before and after school care as well as summer and holiday programs. Additional support for families with children over the age of twelve can be found through the youth and teen programs often sponsored by youth services and community centers.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has created several programs to provide military families with quality, affordable child care. The DoD currently oversees 800 Child Development Centers (CDCs) located on military installations worldwide that offer a safe child care environment and meet professional standards for early childhood education. Child care is typically available through these centers for children ages six weeks to twelve years.  The DoD also oversees the Family Child Care (FCC) programs that provide in-home care by installation-certified providers. FCC programs help bridge gaps in child care when the CDC does not entirely meet the child care needs of the family.  An additional component of military child care is the School Age Care (SAC) program, which meets the needs of children ages six to twelve years and provides before and after school care as well as summer and holiday programs. Additional support for families with children over the age of twelve can be found through the youth and teen programs often sponsored by youth services and community centers.

The Department of Defense Military Child Development System (CDS) is a benefit available to active duty members, retirees, Guard and Reserve members, and DoD civilian personnel. Availability of the facilities and programs varies depending on the location of the installation, resources, and the needs of the local community.  The availability of child care is also affected by the status of the service member and the priority of the family on the waiting list.  In some instances, for example, Reserve and Guard personnel must be activated in order to use military child care facilities and programs.

The Department of Defense Military Child Development System (CDS) is a benefit available to active duty members, retirees, Guard and Reserve members, and DoD civilian personnel. Availability of the facilities and programs varies depending on the location of the installation, resources, and the needs of the local community.  The availability of child care is also affected by the status of the service member and the priority of the family on the waiting list.  In some instances, for example, Reserve and Guard personnel must be activated in order to use military child care facilities and programs.

The Army, Marine Corps, and the Navy have implemented a process to determine and review the best placement and support for children with special needs in the child care setting.

The Army, Marine Corps, and the Navy have implemented a process to determine and review the best placement and support for children with special needs in the child care setting.

The Army’s Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) consists of a multi-disciplinary team (parent/guardian; Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Manager; Community Health Nurse; and Child, Youth, and School Services (CYS) Center Management Representative), which assists in determining the safest, least restrictive, and most appropriate placement for children who require specialized child care, school age services, youth services, or recreational sports and fitness activities. During the SNAP process, the team: 

• explores child care installation and youth supervision options for children/youth with a medical diagnosis that reflects life threatening conditions, functional limitations, or behavioral/psychological conditions
• determines child care and youth supervision placement considering feasibility of program accommodations and availability of services
• recommends a placement setting that accommodates the child's individual needs
• develops and implements the SNAP Team Care Plan (DA Form 7625-3)
• conducts annual periodic review of the child/youth individual SNAP Care Plan
• establishes an installation SNAP Review Team consisting of garrison commander or designee, staff judge advocate, installation EFMP manager, and CYS coordinator 

Children who are enrolled in the EFMP can be referred to SNAP.  This includes, but is not limited to, children with asthma, attention deficit disorder, diabetes, autism, learning disabilities, sensory impairment, and developmental delays. 

Parents can visit the Army OneSource website for more information on Registering with Child, Youth, and School Services.

The Army’s Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) consists of a multi-disciplinary team (parent/guardian; Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Manager; Community Health Nurse; and Child, Youth, and School Services (CYS) Center Management Representative), which assists in determining the safest, least restrictive, and most appropriate placement for children who require specialized child care, school age services, youth services, or recreational sports and fitness activities. During the SNAP process, the team: 

• explores child care installation and youth supervision options for children/youth with a medical diagnosis that reflects life threatening conditions, functional limitations, or behavioral/psychological conditions
• determines child care and youth supervision placement considering feasibility of program accommodations and availability of services
• recommends a placement setting that accommodates the child's individual needs
• develops and implements the SNAP Team Care Plan (DA Form 7625-3)
• conducts annual periodic review of the child/youth individual SNAP Care Plan
• establishes an installation SNAP Review Team consisting of garrison commander or designee, staff judge advocate, installation EFMP manager, and CYS coordinator 

Children who are enrolled in the EFMP can be referred to SNAP.  This includes, but is not limited to, children with asthma, attention deficit disorder, diabetes, autism, learning disabilities, sensory impairment, and developmental delays. 

Parents can visit the Army OneSource website for more information on Registering with Child, Youth, and School Services.

The Marine Corps Special Needs Evaluation Review Team (SNERT) consists of qualified personnel whose goal is to make an assessment of the accommodations necessary for a special needs child to participate in Marine Corps Children, Youth and Teen Programs (CYTP) and to determine the most appropriate placement for the child. An installation’s SNERT reports to the installation commander and includes, at a minimum, the CYTP Administrator, EFMP Coordinator, medical personnel, parent(s), the child or youth when appropriate, and other applicable CYTP or community agency personnel. 

Children who require medical or educational intervention, assistance, or other accommodations are eligible for services.  This includes, but is not limited to, children with autism, asthma, allergies, hearing impairment, orthopedic impairment, developmental delays, behavioral issues, specific learning disablement, and mental, physical, or emotional challenges. Upon request for services, the SNERT will make an assessment of the accommodations necessary for a special needs child to participate and determine the most appropriate placement.  

Parents can read Marine Corps Order P1710.30E, "Marine Corps Children, Youth and Teen Programs," 24 June 2004 for more information on SNERT.

The Marine Corps Special Needs Evaluation Review Team (SNERT) consists of qualified personnel whose goal is to make an assessment of the accommodations necessary for a special needs child to participate in Marine Corps Children, Youth and Teen Programs (CYTP) and to determine the most appropriate placement for the child. An installation’s SNERT reports to the installation commander and includes, at a minimum, the CYTP Administrator, EFMP Coordinator, medical personnel, parent(s), the child or youth when appropriate, and other applicable CYTP or community agency personnel. 

Children who require medical or educational intervention, assistance, or other accommodations are eligible for services.  This includes, but is not limited to, children with autism, asthma, allergies, hearing impairment, orthopedic impairment, developmental delays, behavioral issues, specific learning disablement, and mental, physical, or emotional challenges. Upon request for services, the SNERT will make an assessment of the accommodations necessary for a special needs child to participate and determine the most appropriate placement.  

Parents can read Marine Corps Order P1710.30E, "Marine Corps Children, Youth and Teen Programs," 24 June 2004 for more information on SNERT.

The Special Needs Review Board (SNRB) determines the ability of the Navy’s Child and Youth Program (CYP) to reasonably accommodate children with special needs. The SNRB meets on a monthly or quarterly basis. The SNRB may be comprised of the CYP Manager, members of the CYP professional team (e.g. Child Development Center director, Youth Director), MWR director, Naval Hospital or clinic pediatrician, family or nurse practitioner, or other medial liaison, and additional personnel as needed. The SNRB makes an assessment and reports to the responsible commander on the program’s ability to accommodate the special needs child.

Parents can read OPNAV Instruction 1700.9E, “Child and Youth Program (CYP),” 10 July 2008, for more information on the Navy’s SNRB process.

The Special Needs Review Board (SNRB) determines the ability of the Navy’s Child and Youth Program (CYP) to reasonably accommodate children with special needs. The SNRB meets on a monthly or quarterly basis. The SNRB may be comprised of the CYP Manager, members of the CYP professional team (e.g. Child Development Center director, Youth Director), MWR director, Naval Hospital or clinic pediatrician, family or nurse practitioner, or other medial liaison, and additional personnel as needed. The SNRB makes an assessment and reports to the responsible commander on the program’s ability to accommodate the special needs child.

Parents can read OPNAV Instruction 1700.9E, “Child and Youth Program (CYP),” 10 July 2008, for more information on the Navy’s SNRB process.