The Soldier and Family Assistance Center is sponsoring a program that might benefit Soldiers of the Warrior Transition Battalion and their Families.

Known as the Child Care Assistance Program, it is dedicated to providing child care for WTB spouses or Family members who want to go to school, said Roosevelt Harp, education counselor, Army Community Service. Classes can include the general equivalency diploma, college, trade school or certification.

Funding for the child care comes from a $120,000 grant received from The Patriot Foundation, Harp said.

The Patriot Foundation’s mission, according to its website, is to provide support to Soldiers in WTB, 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps and the United States Army Special Operations Command.

Child care is unlimited as long as the person meets the requirement of maintaining school enrollment.

According to Harp, the child care provider does not have to be affiliated with a child care center, but if a center is used, it must have at least a three-star rating.

Issued by the North Carolina Division of Child Development, ratings range from one to five stars, with programs earning ratings based on staff education and program standards.

A Family member such as a grandparent may serve as a child care provider, Harp added.
CCAP is beneficial to households and provides a means for a spouse, particularly one who assumes a new role as caretaker of a wounded partner, to further his or her education.
Sergeant Brandon Williamson is assigned to the WTB and said his Family would consider obtaining assistance through SFAC for his wife to continue her education.

“That would be wonderful in case something happened to me . . ., she would be able to protect the Family,” Williamson said.

CCAP could help spouses secure a bright future for their Families.

We are preparing spouses to be the bread winner by encouraging them to go to school,” Harp said. “It’s a pathway to higher learning.”