Drill Weekend Child Care Supports Idaho Guard Families

Affiliation: National Guard

Location: Gowen Field | Boise, ID

Partners: Idaho National Guard J9 Service Member & Family Support; University of Idaho Extension 4-H; community youth organizations

What They Did: Developed recurring child care and youth programming during drill weekends so Idaho Guard and Reserve parents can report for duty while their children participate in supervised activities. The model grew from Idaho's Operation: Military Kids and 4-H partnership work and is now operated through the Idaho National Guard's family support system.

Key Results: Free care is offered at the Gowen Field Child & Youth Center for eligible drilling Guard families, helping parents meet military obligations without losing access to child care.

Replication Takeaway: Schedule care around the military calendar and combine Guard family-program resources with community youth-development expertise.