Welcome to the Fort Bliss Child and Youth Services (CYS) programs. Whether you are enrolling your child/youth in Child Development Services (Child Development Centers (CDC) and Family Child Care (FCC)), School Age Services (SAS), Youth Services (YS), Youth Sports, or School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills Unlimited (SKIESUnlimited), we welcome you and your child/youth into our programs. Our programs are operated in accordance with Fort Bliss policies and Army Regulations. Our goal is to help each child/youth develop to his/her potential. We want to help develop the whole child/youth; positive self-concept, strong emotional well-being, productive social interaction, intellectual and physical growth. We strive to provide a safe environment, enriching experiences and warm, loving care for your children and youth during their stay with us.
This handbook has been developed to outline the policies and procedures to which all CYS programs adhere. Additional and more specific information is available for each specific program.
The experience of your child/youth is enhanced through a strong parent and staff relationship. Your questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome. We encourage you to participate in the many opportunities offered for parent involvement.
Thank you for permitting us to share with you in providing for the care and nurturing of your child/youth. We look forward to working with you.Children (4 weeks through 18 years of age) of active duty personnel, military reserve members, Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, DoD contractors, and military retirees.
Parents must register their child/youth at Central Enrollment Registration (CER) Office prior to receiving services. Initial and annual registration is handled through an appointment system. The CER Office is located in Bldg 1743, Victory Rd. Appointments can be made by calling the registration office at 568-4374. For an initial enrollment, enrollment packets can be picked up to be filled out prior to your appointment date. The office is open 0700 – 1730.
Initial registration takes approximately 30 – 45 minutes. Please be sure to have the registration packet filled out and bring the proper documentation: valid ID card, child’s/youth’s immunization record, current physical if you have one, and current leave and earning statements for all working family members.
Family Care Plans: Sole and dual military parents are required to furnish CER with an updated copy of the DA Form 5305-R in your Family Care Plan within 30 days of registration or services will be denied.
Health Assessment: A child health assessment will be on file for each child/youth. Each child will have a documented health assessment completed within 30 days of registration. Failure to provide a physical within the 30 days will result in denial of services. Well baby/well child exams or school/athletic physicals documented within the last year can be used in place of admission health assessment if dated, signed and stamped by the health care provider and signed by a parent. Children/youth’s physicals must be reviewed annually after the initial health assessment on file for changes and resigned by parents. If there are any changes in the health of your child/youth a current medical examination will be required by the child/youth’s medical provider. Children/youth with special needs must have a health assessment annually. The physical must identify your child/youth’s special need. If your child/youth has an identified special need he/she will be reviewed by the Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) in order to determine where your child/youth will be best placed for care and to inform the program staff/FCC providers of what we need to do for your child/youth during his/her stay in our program.Parents must identify children with special needs at the time of registration. “Our goal is to reasonably accommodate individuals with special needs in order to integrate them into the program to the extent feasible, given each individual’s limitations”. Each individual must be considered in accordance with the match between the program and the other children/youth in the program. When possible, children/youth with special needs are mainstreamed into regular CYS programs. In order to do this, the child/youth must be able to be integrated without requiring a change in the child/youth to staff ratio. Decisions to mainstream a child/youth are handled on a case-by-case basis by a multi-disciplined SNAP team which meets every week. Parents are a vital part of this team. The team meets to determine appropriate placement for the child/youth before and during enrollment in a CYS program. Child/youth initially are accepted on a trail basis. During this time the program attendants/FCC providers can determine how the child/youth functions within the program. Again each child/youth is different. The staff’s ability to meet the needs will also determine the days, hours, and amount of time the child/youth can be cared for within the program. Decisions are also made regarding program adaptation and additional training for staff to ensure the child/youth’s needs can be met. Based on the decisions of the SNAP team, children/youth that are a danger to themselves or to other children/youth that are on continuous medical treatment may not be accepted for care in CYS programs. The SNAP team has many resources and will make every effort to support parents with child/youth care needs in an appropriate environment. Prior to placement of a child/youth with special needs in CYS specialized training may be required. Training will be completed no later than 1 week after SNAP unless other emergency situations arise to delay this process.
Program attendants and FCC Providers are trained to plan activities with a purpose in mind. They are trained to know each child/youth and what his or her capabilities are. As with all children/youth enrolled in CYS, we immediately work on building a relationship with the child/youth so that we can know what works and what doesn't and what skills the child/youth needs to work on. We know if they need active play, if they need space from other children/youth, if we need to have eye contact to insure good communication or if we need to keep a special eye on them in stressful situations. All of these subtle skills make a difference. We understand that no one knows children/youth as well as their parents. We depend on parents to be the primary trainers and consultants for staff.
All staff members in CYS have training to help them work with those with special needs. They have also been trained in administering medications, First Aid, blood borne pathogens, and CPR. We are prepared to make reasonable accommodations for every child/youth. If a child/youth were denied care, it would be based on careful deliberations by the SNAP team as mentioned above.
Registration: There is no registration fee for any eligible patron. Parents are responsible for making sure all information on their child’s/youth’s paperwork is complete and accurate. There is an annual requirement to re-register before your registration’s expiration date.
You will be issued a membership (swipe) card. You/your youth will be required to swipe your child/youth in with this card whenever you/he use any center.
If during the course of the year, information changes (i.e. child’s immunizations, phone numbers, addresses, emergency contacts, your employment, spouse’s employment) it is your responsibility to update applicable forms. This can be accomplished by providing the information to the administrative assistant at your child’s/youth’s program or by stopping by the CER office. In an emergency situation, accurate information saves valuable time. Failure to update information will result in the suspension of the child/youth’s pass.On 6 November 1989, congress passed the Military Child Care Act (MCCA) which impacts the quality of Child and Youth Services on military installations. The MCCA required DoD to prescribe uniform fee regulations for military child development programs, school-age programs, and sport programs. The fees are based on total family income. If total family income is not verified at the time of enrollment then the highest category will be charged. The fee ranges are updated annually and are provided upon request.
Full Time Programs: Fees are due in advance on the 1st or 15th of each month. Once a month payments are recommended. Payments will be late after 1800 on the 3rd working day after the 1st and 15th of the month: A $5.00 late fee per child will be charged after the 3rd day. Accounts which are delinquent over 30 days will be referred to sponsor’s commander and services may be denied.
Initial Enrollment: Fees will be prorated for initial entry into the program. Prorating is only authorized for initial entry into the program. Any fees assessed upon enrolling for a program will be paid at the time of enrollment.
Overtime Charge: The regular CDC and SAS program day ends at 1800. There is a $1.00 late fee charge per minute after 1800 with a maximum charge of $15.00. Your child must be picked up by you or your emergency designee by 15 minutes after closing if not the Military Police will be notified.
Emergency Leave: In case of emergency leave for military sponsors, payment may be waived for any week’s absence (Monday - Friday), upon verification of DA Form 31 signed by the unit commander.
Multiple Child Discounts: A 20% Multiple Child Discount (MCD) will be given to any family with multiple children attending full time CYS programs (after the first child and will be applied to the least expensive types of care).
Discounts For Volunteering: Families may earn 10% off their fees for volunteering 6 hours a month.
Financial Assistance: Some families may be eligible for financial assistance from Child Care Services (CCS). You can contact CCS at 533-7528. El Paso Community College (EPCC) also supports qualified students while taking classes.
Vacation Notice: A written notice is required to reduce fees and charges for vacations and is used to notify staff of your child’s/youth’s dates of absence and to hold their space. This notice is very important. Without this notice your fees will continue to accumulate and staff will spend needless time verifying your child’s/youth’s where-about /status. A child attending CDC or FCC is eligible for 2 weeks vacation per registration year after being in the Full time program for 3 months.
Withdrawal Notice: A written notice of your intent to withdraw your child/youth from on-going programs is required two weeks prior to effective date of withdrawal. Again this is important. Notification helps us to effectively manage our spaces and staffing and keeps you from accruing needless fees.
Hourly Programs: Payment is due at the time the child/youth is picked up. Minimum charge for School Age Services is one hour. Payment may be made in advance of care.Your cancelled checks and receipts are your proof of payment for income tax purposes. Computer printouts from CDC and SAS can be provided. A 24 hour request is required. For parents using FCC providers, you must secure a provider’s tax number by the first payment date on the receipt. If a tax number happens to be the Social Security number then parent agrees to protect that information from abuse.
Only full-day and part-day children/youth will be given medication. Parents must fill out the DA form 5225-R for each medication. As per regulations and Army Public Health Nurse (APHN) only certain medications can be given, a list of these medications can be obtained from the program your child/youth is attending. Having this list will make it easier for you to obtain from your child/youth’s physician medication that can be administered in our programs without obtaining an exception from the APHN.
Only medications in the proper form and prescribed by a physician will be accepted. Basic care items (sunscreen, teething and diaper cream) can be given after approval from parent each month. All medication must include the following to ensure no delay in administration at CYS centers:
Medication that is prescribed “as needed” can not be given in the programs, please ensure “as needed” is not written on your child’s prescription. Medication must be in a zip-lock bag labeled with the child/youth’s name. Proper measuring devices must accompany the medicine in the plastic bag. Refrigerated and non-refrigerated medications are placed in locked containers in each program and kept in one central location.
Medication that needs to be administered only once or twice a day will not be given in CYS programs.
Medication is given only at noon and 2 pm. This means medication administered three times daily should be given at 6 am, 2 pm, and 10 pm. Medication administered four times a day should be given at 6 am, noon, 6 pm, and midnight. Parents please adjust hours at home.
Children/youth may be readmitted after an illness only when their presence will not endanger the health of other children/youth and they are well enough to participate in usual daily activities and under the following conditions:
Children/youth may not be readmitted to a CYS program after being diagnosed with a communicable illness without a statement from the child/youth’s medical provider indicating the child/youth is no longer infectious and is well enough to return. A child/youth may be readmitted without such a statement if the child/youth has been absent for the period of time designated by the AR 608-10 for the specific illness or disease the child/youth has had.
Reporting Communicable Disease: it is important that you notify your child/youth’s program if he has contracted a communicable disease.
The CYS program director will notify parents whenever a communicable disease is reported in the program.
If your child/youth becomes ill or is injured while in a CYS program the parent/guardian will be notified immediately by a phone call to home or unit. If necessary, the child/youth will be taken to William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) for medical treatment. If your child/youth is required to be placed in the program’s isolation room for any length of time due to staff not being able to locate you, the cost of having one staff member stay with the child/youth will be added to your bill.
CYS staff and FCC providers are trained in recognizing signs of child abuse and neglect. CYS staff and FCC providers are required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the Military Police. Odd behavior, dirty clothes, uncleanliness, or suspicious bruises, abrasions, burns, and other physical marks are evidence of possible abuse or neglect and must be reported to the proper authorities.
Keeping Children/Youth Safe – Everybody’s Business if you suspect child abuse, child neglect, or a safety violation in your child/youth’s center/program or family child care home, report it to:
CYS staff will report any suspected incidents to the following:
All CYS care-giving facilities are monitored/recorded by video surveillance 24/7
Open Door Policy: We are very proud of our staff and all our child and youth programs at Fort Bliss. We also know however, that child abuse and neglect can occur in child care settings. To protect your child/youth and assist staff in providing quality care, parents need to become a partner in their child/youth’s program. Studies point out that abuse is less likely to occur in programs where the parents have access to their children/youth.
All Fort Bliss Child and Youth Services Programs have an "open door" policy. This policy has been established to encourage involvement in your child/ youth’s program and to support your responsibility as parents to ensure safe care is being provided for your child/youth. You are encouraged to spend time in your child/youth’s program and to get to know your child/youth’s program assistants/FCC providers. Parent should make it a point to visit the CYS program at different times of the day or any time the need arises.
Appropriate Touching And What It Involves:
Inappropriate Touching And What It Involves:
Program Attendants and FCC Providers use a positive discipline approach. Discipline will be applied in a consistent manner based on an understanding of the child/youth’s needs and behaviors of children/youth at varying developmental levels. Simple, understandable rules have been established so that every child/youth know what is expected of them. Discipline will be constructive in nature, including such methods as diversion, separation from the situation, redirecting to another activity, non-participation in an activity, gentle physical restraint such as holding, and praise for appropriate behavior. Our goal is to guide and direct children/youth toward acceptable behavior. Children/youth engaging in persistent displays of inappropriate behavior will have their behavior documented on an incident form and referred to the program director. At this time, the parents will be contacted to assist in the establishment of an intervention program. A “Character Counts” initiative is within all our CYS programs and at many military impacted schools in El Paso. The Character Counts (a character-development program) teaches children/ youth through age appropriate activities that ethical people live by the six Pillars of character (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship), universal values that help us make good choices. Knowledge of appropriate behavior assists children/youth in developing appropriate social behaviors.
CYS is committed to safety. We are annually inspected and certified by the Department of Army (DA) and comply with the Army regulations governing facilities providing care to children/youth. These regulations are intended to establish minimum standards in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of children/youth. Our activity space, supplies and equipment are high quality, maintained in good repair and inspected by the higher headquarters’ authority. Parents as well as Training and Curriculum Specialists (in CDC and FCC) and Training and Program Specialists (in SAS and YS) are involved in observing and documenting the fact that we meet our own standards of quality.
In the unlikely event that a site would have to close unexpectedly, for actual fire, bomb threat, terrorists, or severe weather, we have a contingency plan to move children/youth to one of three safe locations until such time you can be notified of the location to pick up your child/youth.
All CYS programs are operated in accordance with 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 US related activity should inform the director. Unresolved complaints should then be addressed to the CYS Coordinator. You also have the option of contacting the Equal Employment Office here at Fort Bliss or you may write to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250
A menu that includes a variety of children/youth's favorites, fresh seasonal foods and food from other cultures is prepared in a four-week cycle menu plan by our CYS Cooks and Food Service Specialist and is approved for wholesomeness and complete nutrition by the registered WBAMC Clinical Dietitian. A specialist from the Preventive Medicine Section inspects the kitchen and food storage areas each month to insure sanitation and food safety.
Each menu follows USDA guidelines for nutrition and portion size. The cook plans additional amounts of food for hungry children/youth, especially at snack time. Seconds are always available. Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack is served. Snacks are served as a self-serve buffet and fresh fruit is always available.
Any food allergies or special diets need to be brought to the director’s attention in writing and must be verified with a physician’s statement.
CER provides referrals to off-post facilities, teen babysitters, and will call your new duty station in advance for information on day care availability. Teenage babysitter lists are available in CDC’s as well.
The School Liaison Office (SLO) is located in building 2494, 568-9306. If you have a concern about your child/youth’s public school experiences contact the SLO for assistance.
SKIESUnlimited offers a multitude of instructional classes from dance classes to piano to swimming. For more information contact the Youth Education and Support Services (YESS) director in Bldg 1743, 569-7732 or ask one of the administrative assistants in CER, 568-4374.
All PCS/ETS clearing for CYS will be handled in the CER office. If you have a child/youth in public school you must bring at the time of clearing a Military Student Notice of Attempt to Withdraw statement from your child/youth’s school. If you clear during the summer months when school is not in session the form can be filled out in CER.