REGISTRATION

Registration is handled through an appointment system. Central registration is at Bldg 1743 on Fort Bliss. Please call the registration desk at 568-4374 to make an appointment. Registration requires approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. You will need to show a valid military ID card, child's immunization record and current pay statement for all working family members. When you have completed all necessary paperwork (see below table) you will be issued a swipe card for full time care. You will be required to present this card whenever you use the center. The registration is good for one year and is transferable to the Army installation. If there are any changes to your file (ie change in employment, change of address, spouse employment) it is your responsibility to report these changes to the Central Registration Office immediately. Email Child, Youth and School Services here. 

Resource and Referral:

The Central Enrollment and Registration office can provide referrals to off-post facilities, FCC homes, and teen sitters

FEES

Department of Defense (DoD) prescribes uniform fee regulations for all military child and youth programs. The fees are based on total family income and apply to all children who attend on a regular basis. The fee ranges are updated annually. Each year DoD instructs installation to increase fees based on estimates of inflation. Fort Bliss continues to attempt to minimize the impact on parents by charging the lowest fees in the majority of ranges, providing a multi-child discount, and offering volunteer and participation discounts. This year, families can earn up to 10% off their monthly child care costs by volunteering and participating in our programs. We commit to you that we will continue to provide quality and safe child care for our children.

CYSS Fee Payment

The Army subsidizes child care fees with appropriated funds so that child care is available, affordable and of high quality. Soldiers only pay a percentage of the total cost to provide care. Army policy states that all child care fees will be paid in advance. Soldiers have a responsibility to ensure child care fees are paid in a timely manner. Fees for CDS and SAS regularly scheduled full time or part day programs are due on the first of the month. For your convenience, parents may choose to pay the full fee on the first of the month or to pay half on the first and the other half on the 15th of the month. Fees not paid within two days after the 1st and/or 15th will incur a late fee. Once the fees are 15 days past due, the Soldier's commander will be notified. At 20 days past due, CYSS must terminate services. At 30 days past due, CYSS will contact DMWR Financial Management Division to initiate DD 139 (Pay Adjustment Authorization) action and the delinquent sum will be deducted from the Soldier's paycheck. Any time fees are owed in any program, the family can not enroll the child in another CYSS program. For specific information, please call 568-4374.

CYSS Family Care Plan Policies

Family care plans are required for all single and dual military parents to ensure the safety and well being of your child. Two copies of this plan will be maintained, one at central enrollment and one copy in the child's file in the primary child care setting. Central Enrollment will need two local emergency contacts and for SINGLE AND DUAL MILITARY ONE MUST BE YOUR SHORT TIME PROVIDER ON THEIR FAMILY CARE PLAN. Parents will provide updated information to CER annually or more frequently if necessary to update information. This information allows us to ensure the care of your child in your absence. Parents are given 30 days from the date of registration to provide CER with a copy of completed FCP, DA 5305-R. If DA 5305-R is not received within those 30 days, services will be terminated until such time as the DA 5305-R is provided. For specific information, please call 568-4374.

USDA

The Child & Youth Services programs are operated in accordance with U. S. Department of Agriculture policy which does not permit discrimination because of race, color, sex age, handicap, political beliefs, religion or national origin. More information may be obtained here or from the Office of Equal Opportunity, USDA, Washington, D.C. 20250. Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should inform the Director. Unresolved complaints should then be addressed to the CYSS Coordinator. You also have the option of contacting the Equal Employment Office here at Ft. Bliss or you may write to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 20250.

ACCREDITATION

Fort Bliss Morale Welfare and Recreation's two child development centers are accreditated by the National Association for the Education of Young Children or NAEYC.

The prestigious recognition brings the number of NAEYC accredited childcare centers in the El Paso, Texas, area to five. Fort Bliss' centers are the two largest centers in the area to achieve accreditation offering full-day, hourly and infant care. Nationally, approximately 7 percent of early childhood programs have been accredited with nearly 15,000 programs currently engaged in seeking accreditation.

In obtaining accreditation, programs undergo an intensive self-study, collecting information from parents, teachers, administrators and classroom observations. NAEYC early childhood professionals then conduct an on-site visit to validate the self-study results. Finally, a commission of national experts independently review the information and either grant or defer accreditation. Once awarded, the NAEYC accreditation is valid for three years.

According to Virgetta Johnson, Main CDC Director, “The heart of NAEYC accreditation focuses on the child's experience.” The process carefully considers all aspects of a program including health and safety, staffing, staff qualifications and physical environment.  The greatest emphasis is on the children's relationships with the staff and how the program helps each child grow and learn intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally.

Both centers will now proudly display NAEYC's torch emblem – the sign of NAEYC accreditation.  Parents who look for the torch when choosing childcare or early education programs for their children will find programs that have made a commitment to excellence for young children and families.

PROGRAMS