Fort Jackson is big on providing for the community. There are gyms for Soldiers, places for families and trainees to spend time together during Family Day, and numerous child development centers to take care of the little ones.
A new Family Care Center that opened Aug. 24 can be added to the mix.
According to the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the FCC program provides quality, home-based childcare for military families on Army garrisons. FCC providers offer care for children aged 4 weeks to 12 years in government-owned and government-leased housing on post.
For the operator of that new FCC on post its about providing care for Soldiers and their Families.
The FCC is “extremely important because the Soldiers here are mainly drill sergeants, so they have hours that are not your typical eight to five like other garrisons,” said Jennifer Jelle, a Family Care Center provider on Fort Jackson. “So, an FCC is able to step in and help fill the gaps where the CDCs can’t cover that care.”
Family Child Care is an essential component of executing the Child and Youth Services mission: to reduce the conflict between parental responsibilities and unit mission readiness, said CYS coordinator Tara Paprzycki.
Paprzycki said one of the hallmarks of an FCC home is its ability to tailor care to meet the specific needs of individual children and their families.
“FCC homes provide the same quality standards expected across our child development centers and school age centers, while offering care in a comfortable homelike setting,” she said.
Jelle agreed and added children get more attention in an FCC.
“I have less kids, so they get way more one on one attention, and then I can offer care for like if the dads have CQ, the kids can stay with me, so they feel at home,” she said.
Not everyone can run an FCC – it requires a lengthy process that Jelle, who has provided various forms of childcare 23 years, went through.
“Providers go through a rigorous training and background check process, similar to other CYS Employees,” Paprzycki said. “FCC homes are regularly monitored, inspected by the appropriate components, including fire, safety, environmental and Army Public Health Nursing.
In addition, FCC providers are required to complete foundational training, which includes developmentally appropriate practices, health and sanitation courses and other essential competencies.
Providers must also maintain current CPR and first aid certification and complete 24 hours of training after completing foundational training.
Jelle said the certification process was great, actually.
“I learned a lot,” she said. “It’s a pretty quick process. It’s about a two-week long training course, and it gives you everything you need: first aid, CPR, everything.”
She encourages Families to join an FCC.
“The kids get more one-on-one attention,” she said. “It’s a way smaller ratio. I can only have six kids total. It’s more like the kids being at home.”
Fort Jackson is looking to have more FCCs on post. For those looking to start an FCC can call Fort Jackson’s CYS at (803) 751-1672.
An “FCC is more than an alternative childcare option – it is an important part of the CYS team, providing quality, flexible care that supports military families and contributes to unit mission readiness,” Paprzycki said.