IDAHO, USA — The Idaho National Guard hopes providing free child care on drill weekends help recruiting and retention issues. The guard opened a child care center earlier this summer at Gowen Field after running the program out of a temporary location for a few months.
Lt. Col. Christina Taylor, service members and family programs director, said Idaho is the only state offering free child care on base during drill weekends — the one weekend a month service members are called to work on base.
"The need came about because we had commanders like myself that continually asked soldiers why they wanted to get out," Taylor said.
Ultimately, she said it can be hard to balance serving and having a family.
"They were put in just an uncomfortable position, and sometimes that meant they left the Army or the Air Force," Taylor said.
1st Lt. Kelly Minium is a single mom of two boys. She considered leaving the guard before the program became available.
"Really, if this program wasn't an option," she said, "and I was spending my whole paycheck paying for child care, then is it really worth it being in the guard? This program has allowed me to continue serving. It's nice that it's right here on base. I know the boys aren't far, and they love coming to base with me."
Child care coordinator Amanda Santiago said it is not just Minium. She said several service members have mentioned they are re-enlisting or have re-enlisted because of the center.
The center is for children six months to 12 years, she said. They can care for up to 70 children.
"We do prioritize the single and dual military couples," she said, "since they don't have someone else who could potentially watch their children for them. Having this as a free resource ... is huge to be able to help with retention, quality of life ... making sure that their kids are being cared for in a good, safe environment."
The guard hopes to expand the program to more places around the Gem State. There are some other options for service members — a federal program helps pay for child care during drill weekends but typically for care not on base that is not free
"I think it is fair to say that we're leading the way," Taylor said. "Other states are looking at it, and I hope to share our lessons learned."