On Dec. 3-4, Child Care Aware® of America’s Executive Director of Respite Care of America (RCoA) Fran Jamison and Senior Vice President of Program Impact Ariel Ford participated in the National Child Care Innovation Summit: Business Leaders in Action. The event, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), and presented by the David and Laura Merage Foundation, aimed to "dive deep" into how the business community can support their employees and working communities in tackling child care challenges that are preventing families and economies from thriving. Fran coordinated experts for a panel that highlighted the U.S. Military’s approach to child care, how parts of it might translate to the private sector, and how child care plays a critical role in national security. Ariel presented on a panel that highlighted emerging issues in child care in disaster preparedness, relief, and resilience. 

Every year, 600,000 military-connected families and children move around the country. The average military family moves three times as often as their civilian peers, and the majority of these “permanent change of station” (PCS) moves take place during the summer. Finding access to quality, affordable child care is an essential component of a smooth transition.