AFA is the Army’s contribution toward the total cost of child care for Army Families. Fee Assistance buys down the higher cost of off post care allowing eligible families to pay fees comparable to those charged at the Installation. Army Fee Assistance (AFA) is an initiative that assists Army Families in reducing the cost of off-post child care when on post options are not available or when geographically separated from on-post child care options. These child care options are available in 50 states and may include full-time, part-time, before & after school care, respite care, as well as weekend and evening duty hourly care.
Fee Assistance compensates for the difference between a Community Care Provider’s rate and an Installation’s rate for similar service. The parent rate is paid directly to the Provider by the parents. Fee Assistance will compensate for some or the entire gap between the Garrison rate and the Provider rate for similar service.
Eligible Families must receive an annual signed Statement of Non-Availability from CYS Services staff confirming there are no available spaces on the Garrison prior to enrollment with the exception of geographically dispersed Families and school age.
Providers and parents must apply via the General Services Administration (GSA) at army.childcare@gsa.gov or 866-508-0371. Eligibility and program placement will be determined based on Army CYS Services guidance, as per the current school year fee policy, geographic availability of childcare and DOD/Army service funding.
Please Note: The Army Fee Assistance Program will be transitioning to a new contractor. The timeline for this transition has not yet been finalized. Families will be notified as soon as the transition plan is finalized.