Army Fee Assistance (AFA)

Army Fee Assistance (AFA) Update

Good News: Army CYSS has verified that GSA has paid 95% of the backlogged subsidy payments to child care providers. GSA is working to resolve and pay the remainder of the invoices as quickly as possible.

Families submitting new applications for AFA beginning February 22 should send them to Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA).

Installation Management Command (IMCOM), the headquarters for Army CYSS, remains committed to working very closely with the General Services Administration (GSA) to restore this very important and valuable AFA program to its original intent. IMCOM announced that the contract for AFA has been awarded to CCAoA. IMCOM G-9 has a seven phase transition plan divided by states. Each phase has a 30-day estimated length with the first phase projected to start February 22, 2016. In addition, new AFA applications will also transition from GSA to CCAoA on February 22.

CCAoA recently launched new Facebook and Twitter pages to keep Army Families informed as the AFA program transitions management. The pages currently provide links and general updates on the transition process, and will become more interactive in the months to come. They will serve as a platform for Army Families and child care providers to ask questions and voice concerns. Visitors to the Facebook page will also have access to transition notices and be able to join webinar events.

The Army, CCAoA, and GSA are committed to ensuring that the transition of the AFA program is a positive experience for all Army Families involved, and is as responsive to their needs as possible. To ensure an effective and stable transition, CCAoA will assume management of the program through the phased approach highlighted below. Until Families and child care providers have been notified that the transition is complete, they should continue service through the GSA.

Updates, Webinars, and Social Media

Parent FAQ: http://goo.gl/X1OwV6
Transition Website: http://armyfeeassistancenaccrra.org/
Army Website: http://www.armymwr.com/cyss-fee-assistance.aspx
Parent Webinar Recording: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/3291514872884185857

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armyfeeassistanceatccaoa?_rdr=p
Twitter: https://twitter.com/afa_ccaoa

Phase Number

Phase 1 (Feb 22 start): Wyoming, Vermont, Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Hampshire, Maine
Phase 2 (Mar 22 start): North Carolina, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho
Phase 3*: Washington, South Dakota, Oregon, Nevada, Iowa, Arkansas, Nebraska, Delaware, North Dakota, Alaska, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Illinois
Phase 4*: Louisiana, Texas, Rhode Island, Arizona, Connecticut, Utah
Phase 5*: West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, Mississippi, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama, Missouri, Pennsylvania
Phase 6*: Michigan, Minnesota, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas
Phase 7*: Kentucky, Florida, New York, California, Tennessee, New Jersey

*Please note: Each phase should last approximately 30 days. Please wait for an email notifying you of transition 7-10 days prior to your state’s start.

Army Fee Assistance (AFA) for Childcare

Army Fee Assistance (AFA) was created to assist qualifying Army Sponsors with the cost of off-post child care allowing Families to pay fees comparable to those charged at an installation. If you do not have access to an on-installation child care provider, you may be eligible to participate in AFA. The benefit is available to children from birth through 12 years of age of Families of AGR, Deployed, Wounded Warriors and Survivors of Fallen Warriors.

• Full Day Care (25+ hours per week)
• Part-Time Care (16-25 hours per week)
• Before and After School/Summer Care
• (Must meet eligibility requirements)

Children must be enrolled in child care a minimum of 16 hours per week in order to qualify for AFA. The AFA will be paid directly to the Sponsor’s child care provider and their statement/bill should reflect the reduction in cost that will result from the AFA.

Download the Army Fee Assistance Card PDF file here.

Army Fee Assistance (AFA) for Respite Care

The Army Child, Youth & School Services (CYSS) is offering Respite Child Care assistance to support Families of Deployed, Wounded Warriors and Survivors of Fallen Warriors.

Child care providers must be State Licensed and/or Nationally Accredited in order to be deemed an eligible provider to receive AFA.

Respite Care for Deployment Status may be authorized for 30 days prior to deployment and for an additional 90 days after the Sponsors return.

Because most Army Reserve Families are geographically dispersed, they typically do NOT live near an active duty installation; therefore, they may not have access to the same services that active duty Families have.

Fee Subsidy

• AGR, Deployed, Wounded, Injured, Fallen Warrior/SOS Families
• Full Day/Part Day child care fees comparable with on post
• Respite Care
• Licensed/Accredited Providers
• Referrals available in 50 states

All questions on eligibility and application for the AFA should be addressed to the GSA Subsidy Administration Section.

Link: https://financeweb.gsa.gov/childcare_portal/childcare_army_home
Phone: (866) 508-0371
Fax: (816) 823-5410

Email: