Action line 81013 - CDC

  • Published
  • By Anonymous
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Complaint: 

I have two issues: one is a curiosity and the second is a complaint:

First, I would like to know why the school here at Incirlik offers the "Right start" program instead of pre-kindergarten. When my husband and I looked into the program, there was a list of about 10 items which children needed to meet to be considered for the program. The items for consideration were if the child was a preemie, had a learning disability, if one parent didn't speak English, ect. On that list, my daughter fit only one condition, both myself and my husband are dual military. Most schools back in the states offer pre-kindergarten.

With CDC having to take on the majority of the children on base who lost their nanny services, I would think that moving all 4 year olds to pre-school would help alleviate some child care issues around the base.

Second, I just enrolled my daughter in the Part Day Enrichment program at the CDC. When they figured out my payments they added in BAH for the highest military member. I would understand this issue if I were earning BAH but, as it stands, I am not and neither is my husband. We were informed it is because our housing is paid for. I was wondering why the CDC has the right to figure in BAH and also use my BAS in figuring out which category we fall into for her weekly rates. I am not receiving BAH and I was under the impression BAS is for the military member only, not the dependants?

Response:

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain two very important programs available at Incirlik. Child care is extremely important to a large part of the community and we spend a lot of time making it the best we can offer. 

To answer the first question, DoDDS does not offer preschool at any of their locations and not just Incirlik. A completely different program with different goals is the "Sure Start" program, a federally mandated program that is commensurate with Head Start in the States. Sure Start, although appropriate for all preschool children, targets preschoolers who are "at risk" for later school failure because of economic circumstances or other health and/or family factors. This is the reason there are a number of criteria that have to be reviewed before a student is considered for the program. 

In response to your second question, the use of BAH and BAS when determining CDC fees is a question we often receive. CDC fees are based on Total Family Income or TFI. DoD (not Incirlik AB) defines TFI as all earned income including wages, salaries, tips, long-term disability benefits, and voluntary salary deferrals. Earned income is further defined to include quarters subsistence and other allowances received, like BAS, whether received in cash or in kind. The government housing provided at Incirlik is considered in kind and is therefore included when determining child care fees. Additional clarification is provided on the DD Form 2652 filled out when enrolling a child at the CDC. A copy of your 2652 is available at the CDC front desk. If you have any questions on the Part Day Enrichment program, please call the Child Development Center at 676-6553.