Military teams with child-care providers
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Grandparents and other relatives weren't easily available to military families from the Mainland seeking childcare during the statewide public schools teacher strike yesterday, so military authorities stepped in to fill the gap.
First Lt. Angela Judge of Marine Corps Base, Hawai'i in Kane'ohe said the base started making child-care arrangements before the strike approached.
In addition to the Marines, the Air Force and Navy teamed with private child-care providers to offer on-base programs. Coast Guard members are taking advantage of other military programs, and the Army is providing child-care arrangements for more than 400 military families.
Judge said the Kane'ohe base's gymnasium and youth activities center were converted to take care of children, and 35 showed up yesterday. More are expected if the strike continues.
At Hickam Air Force Base, parents needing childcare had plenty of options yesterday, Hickam spokesman Master Sgt. Gene Ladoucer said. The Air Force offered childcare on base, but only 56 children were enrolled yesterday, leaving 150 open spaces.
Air Force families also are being provided with lists of licensed family care providers on base, as well as a list of certified teen babysitters trained by the Red Cross.
The Navy announced its "Strike Care Plan'' options on its Web site and teamed with a private operator to offer child care on base.
Coast Guard members are being informed of programs on other bases, and lists of certified child-care providers are being circulated, said Lt. Greg Fondran, a Coast Guard spokesman.
The Army opened youth centers at Schofield, Helemano military reservation, Fort Shafter and Aliamanu Military Reservation, said Army media relations officer Amy Alie. The daylong care is offered at no extra charge to those already enrolled in before- or after-school daycare, and at $15 a day to new enrollments.
Alie said 375 children are enrolled, 57 more are registered and 34 spaces remain.
Advertiser staff writer Tanya Bricking contributed to this report.
