In a move that underscores San Antonio's moniker as Military City USA®, Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) has teamed up with Pre-K 4 SA to enhance child care and early education for military families. This collaboration is set to tackle the critical shortage of child care options available to service members. "The partnership between the City of San Antonio, Joint Base San Antonio and Pre-K for SA represents a significant step forward in supporting our military families," said Brigadier General Russell D. Driggers, "By ensuring our service members' children have priority access to high-quality early education, we're not only investing in their future but also enhancing military readiness."
With a limited number of child care slots presently available at JBSA and a striking need for specialized care, particularly for children with special needs, the partnership aims to bridge this gap. The memorandum of understanding signifies the city's dedication to its military populace. "Approximately 85% of our military families don't live on a base; they live in our communities," Mayor Ron Nirenberg remarked, "Our common goals will expand availability of childcare, care for children with special needs, support military members' unique mission hour requirements, all at off-installation childcare centers or home providers."
Quality seems to be at the heart of this initiative, which promises to connect military families with the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) providers. These providers, boasting a 3-star or higher Texas Rising Star (TRS) rating, will cater to the unique scheduling needs of military families through services like extended hours and weekend availability. Another key aspect of the partnership is a streamlined approach to information sharing, ensuring that JBSA's child care options are communicated effectively with families seeking care both on and off base.
The initiative also places an emphasis on professional development for child care workers, where specialized training programs are envisioned to further elevate care quality. "We are further elevating the quality of care for all children in our community by connecting our Early Learning Shared Services Alliance members with MYCCYN and creating upward mobility for child care professionals," said Dr. Sarah Baray, Pre-K 4 SA CEO. The support goes beyond just child care, as Pre-K 4 SA also plans to help families connect with various community organizations for wrap-around services, which are essential in serving the military community holistically.
This partnership did not happen overnight; it's the result of years of joint efforts by JBSA and Pre-K 4 SA to boost resources and accessibility for military families. It officially commenced in July, and is a testament to the ongoing support and integration between military operations and community services in San Antonio. For a detailed report on their collaborative efforts, you can visit the city's official website.
