- Who eligible to use CYS?
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✔ 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.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.
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. - What can be provided as Proof of Eligibility?
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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. - Frequently Asked Questions
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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.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.Are there childcare 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.Are there exceptions to childcare 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 (719) 526-4590 to request a CYS Hardship Waiver.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.Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns?
Call Parent Central Services at (719) 526-1101 or (719) 526-8220.
Child & Youth Services (CYS)
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.
Eligibility
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.
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.
For more information on MFLC's, visit ACS's Military Family Life Counselor website.
CYS Volunteering
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).
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.
• Fort Carson Army Community Service.
• Army OneSource
• Military One Source
• Parent Center Hub
• Vanderbilt
Career Opportunities
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.
Entry Level:
• $16.70 /hr
Skill Level (Achieved after 3-6 months of employment, completing 4 courses in the Virtual Lab School):
• $17.70 /hr
Target Level (Achieved after 2-18 months of employment, completing an additional 11 courses in the Virtual Lab School):
• $18.91 /hr
NOW OFFERING
• 100% Childcare Discount for the first child for all CYS staff
• 25% discount for each additional child after the 15% multi-child discount
• Priority placement for childcare needs
• Commissary privileges to ALL CYS staff.
• Benefits package for part-time and full-time employees .
• CYS will also pay the cost for staff members to earn a Child Development Associates Credential, which makes them eligible for CYS Lead Positions.
For a list of current open positions, go to usajobs.gov.
