thedrifter
06-22-07, 06:42 AM
June 22, 2007 - 12:00AM
Base meets a growing need
JENNIFER HLAD
DAILY NEWS STAFF
When a female Marine or military spouse gets pregnant, thoughts generally turn to baby names and tiny furniture. But after the family is finished sharing the happy news with friends and families, Marine Corps Community Services officials say the expectant mother should make another call - to add the baby to the waiting list for child care.
The base child care waiting list for an infant can range from eight to 12 months, while the waiting list for a toddler generally runs about two months.
But that time may be shrinking.
MCCS unveiled Thursday one of two new child care facilities on base, marking the first of many steps the base is taking toward making the waiting list a thing of the past.
"Camp Lejeune was leading the pack in deficit of child care spaces throughout the Marine Corps," said Col. Adele Hodges, Camp Lejeune's commanding officer. "These two facilities will help diminish some of the lack of capacity in taking care of our children."
Camp Lejeune has 450 spaces in child care centers now. The base would need about 1,200 more spaces to accommodate 80 percent of the children who need care.
As the base opens the two new 74-space facilities, it will close an aging facility at Tarawa Terrace and begin renovations on the existing Brewster Child Development Center. Once the renovations are finished and that facility reopens, the base will have 90 more child care spaces available.
"These facilities are a start to help us bridge the gap," said Marla Talley, administrator of MCCS children, youth and teen programs. Talley has requested three more centers to further ease the shortage.
Though Camp Lejeune has never had a glut of child care options, the real squeeze began about two years ago, Talley said. Increased deployments combined with base growth and increasing job opportunities for spouses sent requests for child care upward.
Parents who can't find child care on base seek help outside the gate, but often meet with similar frustrations. In April alone, 433 families called the Onslow County Partnership for Children looking for child care referrals, said Rachel Nelson, director for child care resource and referral.
Some mothers are forced to turn down jobs or put their college plans on hold because they can't find quality, affordable care for their children, Nelson said.
Christine Wilson knows how difficult it can be for working mothers. Wilson works at Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital, and her husband is active duty in the military.
"It was very challenging trying to find quality child care, affordable child care and child care that could accommodate both of my children," Wilson said. "As a career-oriented mom, it was tough to think about having to again put my career on hold."
And having sufficient spaces in quality child care in the area is not just a logistical issue, Talley said. For the children, it is an emotional issue as well.
"When a family member deploys, the whole family is affected," she said. "The most important thing that child needs is stability."
They'll get that in the new Brewster Annex Child Development Center or the Midway Park Child Development Center, said teacher Eva Evans.
The children know they'll see a familiar face every day, and get a hug every day, she said.
"They get stability," she said. "With parents gone, they know they have us here every day."
Contact staff writer Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 353-1171.
Ellie
Base meets a growing need
JENNIFER HLAD
DAILY NEWS STAFF
When a female Marine or military spouse gets pregnant, thoughts generally turn to baby names and tiny furniture. But after the family is finished sharing the happy news with friends and families, Marine Corps Community Services officials say the expectant mother should make another call - to add the baby to the waiting list for child care.
The base child care waiting list for an infant can range from eight to 12 months, while the waiting list for a toddler generally runs about two months.
But that time may be shrinking.
MCCS unveiled Thursday one of two new child care facilities on base, marking the first of many steps the base is taking toward making the waiting list a thing of the past.
"Camp Lejeune was leading the pack in deficit of child care spaces throughout the Marine Corps," said Col. Adele Hodges, Camp Lejeune's commanding officer. "These two facilities will help diminish some of the lack of capacity in taking care of our children."
Camp Lejeune has 450 spaces in child care centers now. The base would need about 1,200 more spaces to accommodate 80 percent of the children who need care.
As the base opens the two new 74-space facilities, it will close an aging facility at Tarawa Terrace and begin renovations on the existing Brewster Child Development Center. Once the renovations are finished and that facility reopens, the base will have 90 more child care spaces available.
"These facilities are a start to help us bridge the gap," said Marla Talley, administrator of MCCS children, youth and teen programs. Talley has requested three more centers to further ease the shortage.
Though Camp Lejeune has never had a glut of child care options, the real squeeze began about two years ago, Talley said. Increased deployments combined with base growth and increasing job opportunities for spouses sent requests for child care upward.
Parents who can't find child care on base seek help outside the gate, but often meet with similar frustrations. In April alone, 433 families called the Onslow County Partnership for Children looking for child care referrals, said Rachel Nelson, director for child care resource and referral.
Some mothers are forced to turn down jobs or put their college plans on hold because they can't find quality, affordable care for their children, Nelson said.
Christine Wilson knows how difficult it can be for working mothers. Wilson works at Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital, and her husband is active duty in the military.
"It was very challenging trying to find quality child care, affordable child care and child care that could accommodate both of my children," Wilson said. "As a career-oriented mom, it was tough to think about having to again put my career on hold."
And having sufficient spaces in quality child care in the area is not just a logistical issue, Talley said. For the children, it is an emotional issue as well.
"When a family member deploys, the whole family is affected," she said. "The most important thing that child needs is stability."
They'll get that in the new Brewster Annex Child Development Center or the Midway Park Child Development Center, said teacher Eva Evans.
The children know they'll see a familiar face every day, and get a hug every day, she said.
"They get stability," she said. "With parents gone, they know they have us here every day."
Contact staff writer Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 353-1171.
Ellie