Each November, Military Family Appreciation Month reminds us of the extraordinary commitment military families make and the support they need to thrive. At Child Care Aware® of America, we work to ensure every family has access to the child care resources and community connections that make stability possible, especially during the unique challenges of military life. By elevating stories like the one we’re sharing today, we highlight the real impact of a strong, coordinated national network of state and community organizations working together to help families find quality care, stay mission-ready, and feel supported every step of the way.
When Capt. Kathryn “Kat” Wijnaldum reflects on her 24 years of service in the U.S. Navy, she’s quick to acknowledge that her ability to serve, and to thrive, depended on more than dedication and discipline. It also depended on support.
That support came, in part, through Child Care Aware® of America’s Respite Care program, which provided her family with reliable, compassionate care for their daughter, Vania, who was enrolled in the Navy’s Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP).
“Our daughter, Vania, was a little over two years old when she was categorized as Category 5 in the EFMP,” Capt. Wijnaldum recalls. Category 5 means Vania’s needs are highly specialized, complex or severe, requiring continuity of care; this category is the highest of five categories based on severity of the family member’s condition, and services are offered according to that severity.
“At that time, I was preparing to deploy in an early command assignment. Because of her categorization, we became eligible for the Child Care Aware respite care program. The Respite Care program greatly supported my husband as he parented three young children while I executed an extended deployment, and we had no family members in the local area to support him. To put it simply, the Respite Care program has been a God-send.”
Over the course of her career, Capt. Wijnaldum has deployed four times and served in highly operational assignments requiring extensive travel. Each time, the stability of child care support made continued service possible.
“Looking back,” she said, “I can say with confidence that I would not have been able to serve well or as long in such dynamic and operational assignments if the support the program provided to my husband and Vania had not been available.”
Bridging Gaps, Building Stability
Military families often face unique challenges when it comes to child care, from frequent relocations to unpredictable duty hours. For Capt. Wijnaldum, those challenges were compounded by her daughter’s special needs.
“Active-duty life includes duty watchstanding requirements that make it challenging to balance professional and personal responsibilities,” she explained. “If the service member is a single parent or caring for a child with special needs, every decision can feel like a choice between serving or supporting your family. The EFMP respite care program is needful because it reminds sailors and military families that they don’t have to choose; they can continue to serve while knowing their family is supported.”
Community Through Care
Beyond the logistical relief, Capt. Wijnaldum emphasizes the community and continuity that came with the program.
“The servicing company that conducts periodic home visits to check on Vania and our family has become a part of our home battle rhythm,” she said. “It’s not just about the respite care; the support and sense of community inherent in the program have enabled me to serve in the world’s greatest Navy without restriction.”
During one particularly challenging period (her deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic), that support was invaluable. With all three children at home for virtual schooling, her husband was able to continue supporting both their family and their church community, thanks to the stability provided by their respite care provider.
“Our respite care provider facilitated consistent support to Vania and our entire family during that period,” Capt. Wijnaldum reflected. “Our two oldest were able to graduate high school and start college on time.”
Keeping Families Whole, Keeping Service Possible
Today, as a Navy Captain, Wijnaldum looks back with deep gratitude for the support that helped keep her family strong.
“With confidence, I know that our faith and the support our family received from the Respite Care program provided windows of opportunity for us to invest in each other and ourselves while we continued to prioritize care for Vania,” she said. “The Respite Care program kept my family whole and enabled me to remain mission ready so I could accept challenging assignments, including command at sea, twice, and be selected for the rank of Captain... Our family story and my military service record serve as a textbook example of why it is important to continue investing in federally sponsored child and respite care programs that help active duty military members serve our nation with quiet confidence and assurance because they know their family members receive care and support in their absence.”
Learn more about how CCAoA supports military families today.