Wellness Wednesday Sneak Peek—Exploring Your Child Care Options

Wellness Wednesday Sneak Peek—Exploring Your Child Care Options

The youngest members of our Coast Guard family will take center stage during today’s Wellness Wednesday conversation from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., EDT. Child Development Program Manager Renee L. Podolec will provide an overview of available resources and child care programs that support our workforce for children six weeks to 12 years old. Podolec will be joined by Special Needs Program Manager, Sue Carter, who will provide benefits of enrolling in the Coast Guard’s Special Needs Program and will highlight the community partners that support our families.

“Many times information doesn’t get shared at all levels and we want to get information out, especially to our members in the field, to help their families,” said Podolec who will update the workforce on child development services available to eligible members and personnel through the Coast Guard or the Department of Defense. In addition to those child care options, Podolec will also share how to find community-based providers where you reside.

Podolec’s discussion will cover financial support services available through Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA), the Coast Guard’s official relief society, which is offering grants and loans to help with child care expenses during COVID-19.

Lastly, she will share a resource for parents who have children with special needs. “During COVID-19, many parents have taken on many more responsibilities for their special needs children and I will share how they can work with special needs parent centers around the country for support and services,” said Podolec.

Carter will expand on services available to parents of children with special needs. “I will discuss the benefits in enrolling in the Coast Guard’s Special Needs Program and the opportunities available to them through our community partners.”

One community partner is CGMA. Although Podolec will cover an aspect of CGMA, Carter explained that “we will spend more time discussing this partner and the funding opportunities for respite care and the potential relief it offers parents,” she said. “We want to make sure our families are aware of these services.”

Additional parenting resources can be found on MyCG.

Please click this link to attend Wellness Wednesday from your CG computer, personal computer or mobile device. Even if you do not have a CVR.mil account, you can still watch the stream via the link above. If you wish to maintain anonymity, log out of your normal (USCG/DOD) CVR account and join as a guest. You may also call (571) 388-3904; Conference ID 453 387 852#. If you have questions or suggestions, you may e-mail us at wellnesswednesday@uscg.mil.