Making it in the MilLife

There is a 30,000 space shortage at Child Development Centers within the military, according Mr. Robert Gordon, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Military Community & Family Policy, at the Congressional Military Family Caucus launch last year.

Blue Star Families 2012 Lifestyle Survey found that 67 percent of unemployed military spouses who wanted to work, cited child care issues as a barrier to employment. And military families aren’t alone in their struggle to find affordable child care.

Today, MSNBC reported how child care costs are derailing women’s careers. State budgets are being slashed and recovery money is drying up, affecting thousands of families. According to the story:

Many of the cutbacks by states are a result of federal dollars drying up from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, said Blank.  [Helen Blank, director of leadership and public policy at the National Women’s Law Center] While President Barack Obama’s fiscal 2013 budget proposes $825 million to help states, many working family advocates expect a shortfall.

“The problem we continually face is as a country we’re not willing to put the resources into child care to make that available,” said Blank. “Families can’t afford it, and it’s an endless struggle for providers, families and policymakers.”

How much does childcare cost where you live? Does this affect your ability to find work?

We gathered all the moms and military spouses at MOAA for a special thank you.

Follow us in May to read profiles of military spouses who are Keeping a Career on the Move™

From our home to yours, Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Military Spouse Appreciation day. Thanks for all you do for your families and the country.