AFAS giving parents a break Published July 11, 2007 By 39th Air Base Wing Services Squadron INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The Incirlik Child Development Center, with the support of the Air Force Aid Society, will host "Give Parents a Break" day July 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with no limit on eligible parent/child participation. The AFAS recognizes that Air Force families are subject to unique stresses due to the nature of military life - deployments, remote tours of duty and extended working hours. Families are often separated from spouses as well as from extended family members who might otherwise offer support. In an effort to help these families, the AFAS, in cooperation with the Air Force child care community, has agreed to provide funding for child care under a program called "Give Parents a Break." The purpose of this program is to offer eligible parents a few hours break from the stresses of parenting. Active duty Air Force families may use this time to suit their personal needs. The AFAS pays the cost of opening the base Child Development Center once a month for families referred to the program with no charge for the care. Those eligible to use the "Give Parents a Break" program include parents: - Whose spouse is deployed or on a remote tour. - Whose spouse is on an extended temporary duty assignment. - Who have been experiencing family crises such as birth of a new baby, serious illness of a family member, death in the family of extended illness of family members. - Whose child has special needs. - Whose spouse has been required to work extensive extended shifts. To be eligible for the program, families must be referred by one of the following base officials: - Squadron commander or first sergeant - Chaplain - Doctor or other medical professional - Family Advocacy personnel - Family Support Center personnel - Child Development Center personnel A referral certificate must be issued and signed by the person making the referral and can be reissued if necessary. Child care should be recommended for a specific period of time such as the length of a temporary duty assignment or deployment. Reservations will be made as directed by the member's local CDC, which is also responsible for verifying eligibility when reservations are made. Parents interested in reserving time through the "Give Parents a Break" program should contact the Child Development Center at 676-6553 for information on registration.