EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A new program in El Paso wants to help military families at Fort Bliss by providing childcare for military spouses so they can use that freed-up time to job hunt.
Jerry Jacobitz, executive director of the Armed Services YMCA El Paso, said the organization, partnering with USAA, will launch a brand new program called Mission Watch starting June 1, which will provide childcare for up to two hours so military spouses can use that time to go to job interviews, attend career fairs, consult career coaches, or even take care of medical appointments if necessary.
Jacobitz explained that military spouses face unique hurdles after a permanent change of station, or PCS, because families often arrive in unfamiliar communities without established support systems.
Jerry Jacobitz, executive director of the Armed Services YMCA El Paso. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
“They’re not used to being there. They don’t have friends. They don’t have families,” Jacobitz said. “This program is going to help them so that we take away one of the obstacles that they face each time that they’re going out to try to find a job.”
And while childcare shortages are a broad issue, military families are especially affected since they move or relocate more often.
According to Danielle Lankford, a corporate impact director at USAA, “Traditional child care where you pay for a spot, you know, you have the whole month of full-time care held for you, that doesn’t meet how dynamic military life can be,” she said.
Danielle Lankford, a corporate impact director at USAA. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
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Jacobitz detailed that while the program offers childcare for up to two hours a day, there is some flexibility if more time is needed.
El Paso was chosen for this new pilot program due to numerous factors, Lankford said, including the high number of families moving in and out.
Lankford cited Blue Star Families data showing the military spouse unemployment rate has been around 23% for the last 15 years, and said mobility is one factor contributing to that.
Lankford hopes this program will help with the issue.
To learn more, visit their website at ElPaso.ASYMCA.org.
Besides this program, Lankford said USAA and the Armed Services YMCA are planning another program, an early childhood education fellowship aimed at creating jobs in childcare.
That fellowship program will be piloted in Hampton Roads, Lankford said, and there is no definitive timeline yet for expanding it to places like Texas.
The Armed Services YMCA is located at 7060 Comington St., near Dyer St. and Fred Wilson Ave.
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