- Frequently Asked Questions
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Q#1. What can be provided as proof of eligibility for use of CYS services?
Any of the following are acceptable documents:- If the sponsor is the biological parent they may present a birth certificate.
- DEERS enrollment.
- Child's passport.
- Child’s military dependent ID card that proves legal guardianship. In the case of unmarried, legally separated parents with joint custody, or divorced parents with joint custody, children are eligible for child care only when they reside with the Military Service member or eligible civilian sponsor at least 25 percent of the time in a month that the child receives child care through a DoD program.
#Q2. Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns?
Call Parent Central Services at (719)526-1101 or (719)526-8220.Q#3. Will I get a Wait List number if I request care through Military Child Care?
You will get a wait list number; however, it may not reflect your actual wait time. Once enrolled, your request will go through Fort Carson's Parent Central Services. They will contact you once space is available. You can always call Parent Central at (719)526-1101 or (719)526-8220 for status updates.Q#4. Why do I have to register my children for CYS annually?
The Department of Defense requires children's records to be updated annually or as needed for their health, safety, or well-being.Q#5. Why does my child need a sports physical?
Sports physicals are required to show that your child is able to safely participate in physical activities. They are required annually and must be valid through the sports season. Any physical containing a review of bodily systems will suffice. Health assessments completed annually meet sports physical requirements.Click here for the health assessment form.
Q#6. How often do I need to complete a health assessment for my child?
A health assessment is required 30 days from the date of registration. The health assessment must be completed by a physician every three years. Parents must sign to certify health assessments annually. If there are changes in your child’s medical condition(s) at any time, the health assessment will need to be completed by a physician.Click here for the health assessment form.
Q#7. Are immunizations required to register?
Yes. CYS is required to follow the Center for Disease Control Recommended Immunizations. The State of Colorado also follows these recommended immunizations. Medical and Religious Waivers are accepted. See more details on the Parent Central Services page.Q#8. What if my child needs special accommodations?
A special need is any medical condition and/or allergies identified and annotated by a doctor. It is identified through the completion of a Health Screening Tool during registration. Every child will receive a recommended care plan based on the information presented from the Multi-disciplinary Inclusion Action Team (MIAT).Q#9. Are there exceptions to fees based on total family income for special circumstances?
Yes. The Garrison Commander has the authority to grant hardship waivers. The family must be able to demonstrate a severe financial hardship or that their childcare fees are 25 percent or more, of their total family income. Please contact ACS at +1(719)526-4590 to request a CYS Hardship Waiver.Q#10. Are there discounts for multiple children from the same family?
Yes, CYS offers Multiple Child Reductions (MCR).- A 15% MCR is applied when more than one child is enrolled in regularly scheduled childcare programs (CDC, FCC, SAC and Youth Sports).
- MCRs for child care and Youth Sports are calculated separately and cannot be combined.
- MCR is not applied to the youngest child.
- MCRs are not applied to contractors and specified space available patrons, Hourly Care Services, or School Age Care occasional user fees.
Q#11. What is available to me if I am retired?
Youth Sports & Fitness Programs. All other services are deemed Child Care. Retirees are allowed to use Full-time child care services on a space available basis and when there are no other eligible users on the Wait List.Q#12. What types of programs and activities are offered for middle school students and teens?
Check out the Youth Center and Youth Sports & Fitness for programs and offerings. Go to the blue banner above titled "Youth Sports & Fitness" for more information regarding Sports and Fitness.Q#13. What do the School Liaison Officers do?
The School Liaison Officers are liaisons between the local school districts and the military student population to address educational issues. - Parent Participation Opportunities
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Parent Advisory Board
Facility Parent Advisory Boards meet monthly in their respective facilities; the CYS-wide Parent Advisory Board meets quartlery. The board, with the advice of the program staff, recommends activities, projects and special events to enhance CYS programs. This board also advocates for needs and concerns of Fort Carson families who use CYS services. Participation in the Parent Advisory Board can lead to discounts.
Parent Education
Earn participation points when you attend a parent education class! A variety of education classes are offered to enhance parenting skills. Follow us on Facebook for the latest classes.
Additional parent education resources are available! Click on the links below to view sites for even more parenting classes and information.
Child and Youth Services (CYS) Volunteer
We have opportunities including reading to children, participating in field trips, making games, repairing toys, sewing with kids, etc. Speak to the program manager about parent participation opportunities, or visit ACS Army Volunteer Corps.
Volunteer Coaching
Do you have an interest in coaching? CYS Volunteer Coaches encourage all children to explore the world of sports, learn the fundamentals of good sportsmanship and have fun at the same time. Head coaches and Assistant coaches can receive discounts for their participating children.
You can learn more about being a CYS Volunteer Coach by calling the CYS Sports Office at +1(719)526-4425.
Coaching Requirements:
- Required CPR/First Aid and instructional training is provided by CYS prior to the beginning of the season.
- Background checks must be cleared on all coaches prior to team assignment.
- Coaches must attend one of the coaches clinics to review the rules and coaching policies and become certified through the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS).
- Telephonic and video non-medical counseling
- Individual video non-medical counseling sessions for minors age 13 to 17 (parent or guardian must be available at the start of each video session to give parental consent and provide line of sight requirements)
- Family video non-medical counseling for minors 6 to 12 years of age (parent or guardian must attend each session)
- Army Fee Policy Update 11 Nov 2023
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Programs include full-day childcare, part-day preschool, hourly care services, school-age services, online tutoring programs, teen programs, in-home childcare (FCC), youth sports, and instructional classes (formerly SKIES) through MWR.
Registration is FREE! Registration is required to participate in all programs. Eligibility Criteria for CYS Programs is contingent on the status of the sponsor and is verified at registration.
Who is Eligible to use CYS?
• Active duty military personnel.
• DoD civilian employees paid from either appropriated funds (APF) or non-appropriated funds (NAF).
• Reserve Component military personnel on active duty.
• Combat-related Wounded Warriors assigned to a Warrior Transition Unit (WTU).
• Surviving spouses of Military Members who died from a combat-related incident.
• Those acting in lieu of parents for the dependent child of an otherwise eligible patron.
• Space Available for DoD contractors, retirees and others authorized with in approved exception.
CLICK HERE for Childcare Options, Registration, & Deployment Benefits.
Youth Recreation
Youth Center
Provides free open recreation after school and on Saturdays, for youth ages 12 to 18 years old. Visit the Youth Center page for more information.
Youth Sports & Fitness
Fort Carson CYS Youth Sports & Fitness has been awarded the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program designation for 2023/2024. This designation is a seal of commitment to quality and safety based on nationally accepted standards.
Sports and Fitness Programs provide team sports, individual sports, fitness and health programs, and other programming at all Child Development Centers, School Age Care, and Youth Programs. Pre-registration is required.
Volunteer Coaching opportunities available!
Visit the Youth Sports & Fitness page for more information.
Summer Camps 2024:
We have designed each camp to specifically meet the interests of our children, bringing back favorites and creating new camps for this Summer. We encourage you to work with your child when choosing camps to ensure the best summer experience for your child.
We are looking forward to our best summer ever, at Mesa School Age Center! We have designed each camp to specifically meet the interests of our Mesa children. We are proud to offer a new, diverse summer camp line up! We encourage you to work with your child to design the best summer camp experience yet.
Youth Center Summer 2024
Military Family Life Counselors
Child & Youth Behavioral (CYB) Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC) provide broad-ranging support to military children and youth and to the Family members and other adults who support them. They are available at no cost to assist children, youth, parents and family members.
COVID-19 Update to Service Delivery
Military & Family Life Counselor (MFLC) services are expanding to provide continuity of care to our community as we continue to navigate the worldwide impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. MFLCs and Youth Behavioral MFLCs (CYB-MFLCs) will provide temporary telehealth services (includes telephonic and video non-medical counseling) where face-to-face support is restricted and/or unavailable. Service details are as follows:
Support for Adults:
Support for Children and Youth:
For more information on MFLC's, visit ACS's Military Family Life Counselor website.
Announcements & Updates
Exciting News for Military Families
The Department of Defense has just enhanced its Child Care in Your Home (CCYH) fee assistance pilot program. In its third year, CCYH now offers improved options for military families in the Colorado Springs region. If you're a service member struggling with long child car waitlists, this could be a game-changer! Click here to learn more about these important changes and how they can benefit your family.
Career Opportunities
CYS IS HIRING!
A Different Way to Serve:
Fort Carson Child and Youth Services (CYS) provides the “Gold Standard” in childcare and youth out of school options for Soldiers and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians. Professional staff care for children and youth with consistent, effective, and safe programs in state-of-the-art facilities. Contributing to building and enhancing military readiness, retention and family resilience.
CYS Direct Care employees will receive priority placement for childcare needs, a 100% discount for their first child in care as well as benefits package for part-time and full-time employees.
Follow the link to Join our CYS team now! USAJOBS - The Federal Government's official employment site
For a list of current open positions, go to usajobs.gov.
FCC PROVIDERS WANTED
Incentives:
• If you were an FCC provider at your last duty station and you relocate your business to Ft Carson you can receive up to a $1,000 bonus!
• New providers are also eligible for up to a $1,000 bonus for opening up a childcare business in their home.
• Click here or contact Parent Central at 526-1101/8220 for more information.
