The 45th FSS FCC poses in front of the Child Development Center.

Tanya Trujillo, 45th Force Support Squadron family care coordinator, poses in front of the Child Development Center at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Dec. 13, 2013. “Being the family care coordinator is an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Trujillo. “You get to build a relationship with the children and see them grow and succeed.”

Family Care Provider - A ticket your own business

Published Jan. 22, 2014
By 2nd Lt. Alicia Wallace

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Child care can be one of the greatest challenges for military families moving from place to place every few years.

Although the base provides child care services through the Youth Center and the Child Development Center, some may require special care and during busy seasons the facilities can be overfilled.

The Family Care Coordinator program provides another avenue for those who need someone to watch their little ones while they take care of other concerns.

"The Family Child Care Program is designed to assist families with meeting their child care needs and match them with prospective family child care providers, in lieu of using the Child Development Center and other child care programs," said Tanya Trujillo, 45th Force Support Squadron family child care coordinator.

Family Care Providers care for children two weeks to 12 years of age at their on-base or affiliated off-base homes.

The FCC program is in need of more family care providers.

"There are currently two family child care providers at Patrick," said Trujillo. "Years ago there were 15+ in the FCC Program."

The FCC program not only provides an alternate opportunity for child care, it also allows military spouses and others who are looking for a job an opportunity to run their own business, according to Trujillo.

"Family child care providers are child care professionals who set their own hours and set their own fees," she said. "FCPs can also choose to care for children with special needs, infants, toddlers, preschoolers and or school agers with up to six children in care at any one time and no more than two children under the age of two years at one time."

Those interested in becoming an FCP must be 18 years of age or older, able to read, speak and write in English, physically and mentally capable of providing care. Additionally, applicants must undergo 18 months of training, a background check and receive several certifications including First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation before being permitted to care for children.

"Being the family child care coordinator is an incredibly rewarding experience," said Trujillo. "You get to build a one-on-one relationship with the providers and have more hands on time to work with the children."

For more information contact Tanya Trujillo, FCC at 494-8381 or tanya.trujillo-martinez@us.af.mil.