For military families, childcare is essential to both family stability and national security. With approximately 35% of active-duty service members having children and childcare challenges being a leading factor in military spouse unemployment, accessible and affordable care directly impacts military readiness and retention.
At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, our Hiring Our Heroes program supports both military spouses and families through job training, employer connections, and flexible career pathways. Below, you’ll also find a selection of additional tools from trusted government, nonprofit, and community-based partners – each designed to help families thrive at home and at work.
Table of Contents
For Business Leaders and Employers Nationwide
- “4 + 1” Commitment for Spouse-Friendly Workplaces: By signing on to Blue Star Families and Hiring Our Heroes’ 4+1 Commitment: The Formula for Military Spouse Success, companies pledge to adopt at least one new miliary spouse-friendly policy.
- Employer Roadmap - Childcare Solutions : Supporting working parents is good for business. The Employer Roadmap lays out options companies can pursue to address employees’ childcare needs.
- Join the MSEP Network : Another direct step for employers is to become a partner in the Military Spouse Employment Partnership. As mentioned above, MSEP is a large network of employers committed to hiring military spouses.
For Military Families
- Military OneSource: A free 24/7 support hub for military families. It offers confidential counseling and an online tool to find hourly or emergency childcare.
- Child Care Aware of America (Fee Assistance): This nonprofit helps military and civilian families find affordable, high-quality childcare. They offer guidance on fee assistance programs and childcare planning during relocation.
- ChildCare.gov : A federal website that connects families to childcare providers, cost assistance programs, and local agencies by state.
- Blue Star Families : Blue Star Families builds community through research and programs that support military families. Their annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey offers insight into childcare needs and barriers.
For Military Spouses
- Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP): A Department of Defense program linking military spouses with hundreds of military-friendly employers.
- MyCAA Scholarship : The My Career Advancement Account is a financial aid program for eligible spouses (E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2). It provides up to $4,000 for licenses, certifications, or associate degrees in portable career fields.
