LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Lackland families currently have several options for child care and youth programs both on and off-base. These include the three Child Development Centers, or CDCs; the Family Child Care homes and the Lackland Teen Center.
The Lackland, Gateway and Kelly CDCs are three of the child care facilities on base. These provide child care and allow for individual development through skill development.
"We follow a creative curriculum," said Robert Ramirez. "Basically what we're doing is meeting the individual needs of each child."
Mr. Ramirez explained that each child's progress through this program is monitored, with the ultimate goal of preparing the child for entry into school.
"It kind of gives the parents relief that their child is safe here and it's preparing them for kindergarten," he said.
Another service provided by the CDCs is the Part-Day Enrichment program. This allows parents that stay at home to bring their children in for participation in the centers' activities. It is usually held Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays each week.
The Lackland CDC also established a partnership with the Lackland Elementary School to provide after-school care for Pre-Kindergarten children.
For Mr. Ramirez, this cooperation has been quite successful.
"We just finished our first year and we've been full the entire year," he said
The centers also offer the Give Parents a Break program, which is generally held Friday nights or Saturday mornings. This allows parents to come in and drop off their child for a specified period of time at the center.
Mr. Ramirez also said that families are satisfied with the level of care and attention provided by the Lackland CDC.
"We just did our surveys and 80 percent of the parents for this center participated in it," he said.
He specified that no category on the survey was rated below 89 percent by the survey participants.
According to Family Child Care Coordinator Donna Goodman, the Family Child Care homes supplement the services already provided through the existing development centers.
"Basically, we're an alternative to the CDCs," said Ms. Goodman.
She cited the extended FCC hours and a home environment that appeals to some of the children among the program's strengths. Certified FCC homes and care providers provide 24-hour service for Lackland families.
Additionally, these homes are located both on- and off base, with certified care providers at each location. There are 25 homes on Lackland and 23 off base, with 17 providers at these certified by the National Association of Family Child Care.
Background checks are conducted on each care provider and each one is trained in skills including child development, first aid and CPR. Ms. Goodman added that each house used for FCC purposes is also subject to comprehensive inspection.
"The houses are inspected for health and safety to make sure they're safe places for children to be," said Ms. Goodman.
Homes used for child care are licensed by the 37th Mission Support Group commander. According to Ms. Goodman, care is provided for 230 children each month at these homes.
The Lackland Teen Center is also part of the youth programs offered by 37th Services Division. Future activities planned by Teen Center staff include the Youth Employment Field Kickoff and the Trick or Treat Street.
The center also promotes the Fit Factor fitness program that rewards teens for maintaining an optimum physical fitness level.
The Teen Center also sponsors the ongoing Y.E.S. Program that allows teens to gain valuable work experience as well as up to $1000 in the form of a scholarship.