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Childcare Subsidies

Babysitter and child playing with blocks
The Calgary MFRC is dedicated to supporting CAF families by providing subsidized childcare options tailored to meet unique needs during challenging times.

Each program is designed to offer short-term support and subsidies are provided on a case-by-case basis. Approval is required, and we’re here to help guide families through each process.

Emergency Childcare

When needed, an Emergency Childcare Subsidy can be provided when a CAF family needs an immediate childcare provider and there is no time to implement the Family Care Plan (FCP), or it breaks down unexpectedly. Each case is unique and will be assessed individually.

Eligibility:

CAF families will be supported by Emergency Childcare services under many unique circumstances, including but not limited to:
  • When the CAF member must report for duty on short notice or is away on tasking and neither their primary nor secondary caregiver identified on their FCP is available to care for their children.
  • When the CAF member requires emergency short-term childcare to secure essential necessities that have not already been covered through the CAF’s Integrated Relocation Program within three months after posting.
  • When the CAF member or any member of your family has been seriously ill or injured, or when a member of the family has died.

Coverage Details:

  • Up to 96 hours (about 4 days) of free continuous childcare per fiscal year, per family, per emergency.
  • For childcare needs beyond the initial 96 hours, additional care will be assessed by the Family Support Services Coordinator and Executive Director.

How to Access the Subsidy:

Families must receive prior approval for Emergency Childcare from the Family Support Services Coordinator and Executive Director. To receive the subsidy, submit all childcare records, receipts, and invoices to the coordinator for review and final approval.

Deployment Respite Childcare

Respite child-care aims to support the well-being of families who are impacted by deployment. This service is used to help relieve some of the stressors related to continuous caregiving.

Eligibility:

Deployment Respite is only available when the CAF member is away from home for CAF-related work for 28 days (about 4 weeks) or longer.

For the purposes of offering Deployment Respite Care, deployment includes:
  • Imposed Restriction (IR)
  • Courses
  • Training
  • Tasking
  • Exercises
  • Overseas Deployment

Limitations: 

Deployment Respite Childcare is not intended to cover routine childcare needs (e.g., daycare while the non-deployed parent is at work or school).

Coverage Details:

After consultation with the Family Support Services Coordinator and Executive Director, the Calgary MFRC may provide up to 96 hours (about 4 days) of subsidized childcare per family per fiscal year, either in your home or at a childcare facility, for a maximum of 12 hours per week.

Care will be subsidized at a rate of $15.00/hr. for one child, with a $5.00/hr. for each subsequent child. The rate goes down to $13.00/hr., with an additional $3.00/hr. for childcare provided by a person under the age of 18 who is in school.

How to Access the Subsidy:

Consultation with Calgary MFRC staff is required before or during each deployment. Childcare records, paid receipts and/or invoices will not be accepted and paid out without this consultation.

Childcare records, paid receipts and/or invoices must be given to the Family Support Services Coordinator and Executive Director for approval.

Casualty Support Childcare (CSCC)

Casualty Support Childcare (CSCC) offers up to 168 hours of childcare assistance to the families of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel who are ill, injured, or have died while on duty. The program is designed to provide families with crucial support during difficult times.

This service aims to alleviate the burden of caregiving by allowing family members to attend health-related appointments, repatriation services, or funeral and bereavement processes without worrying about childcare.

CSCC also offers a subsidy to help cover the costs of childcare, ensuring that families receive the necessary support without financial strain during these challenging times.

Eligibility:

The CSCC Subsidy is available in the following situations:
  • Facilitate attendance at health-related appointments (medical, mental health, social support) that will help with the CAF member’s recovery.
  • Provide respite for families.
  • Allow families to participate in repatriation services.
  • Support families through funeral and bereavement processes.

Coverage Details:

  • 168 hours (about 1 week) of childcare support is available for families of CAF personnel who are ill, injured or have died while on duty, at no cost to the family.
  • Care will be subsidized at a rate of $15.00/hr. for one child, with a $5.00/hr. for each subsequent child. The rate goes down to $13.00/hr., with an additional $3.00/hr. for childcare provided by a person under the age of 18 who is in school.

How to Access the Subsidy:

Consultation with Calgary MFRC staff is required. Childcare records, paid receipts and/or invoices will not be accepted and paid out without this consultation.

Childcare records, paid receipts and/or invoices must be given to the Family Support Services Coordinator and Executive Director for approval.
  • Emergency Childcare

    Emergency Childcare

    When needed, an Emergency Childcare Subsidy can be provided when a CAF family needs an immediate childcare provider and there is no time to implement the Family Care Plan (FCP), or it breaks down unexpectedly. Each case is unique and will be assessed individually.

    Eligibility:

    CAF families will be supported by Emergency Childcare services under many unique circumstances, including but not limited to:
    • When the CAF member must report for duty on short notice or is away on tasking and neither their primary nor secondary caregiver identified on their FCP is available to care for their children.
    • When the CAF member requires emergency short-term childcare to secure essential necessities that have not already been covered through the CAF’s Integrated Relocation Program within three months after posting.
    • When the CAF member or any member of your family has been seriously ill or injured, or when a member of the family has died.

    Coverage Details:

    • Up to 96 hours (about 4 days) of free continuous childcare per fiscal year, per family, per emergency.
    • For childcare needs beyond the initial 96 hours, additional care will be assessed by the Family Support Services Coordinator and Executive Director.

    How to Access the Subsidy:

    Families must receive prior approval for Emergency Childcare from the Family Support Services Coordinator and Executive Director. To receive the subsidy, submit all childcare records, receipts, and invoices to the coordinator for review and final approval.

  • Deployment Respite Childcare

    Deployment Respite Childcare

    Respite child-care aims to support the well-being of families who are impacted by deployment. This service is used to help relieve some of the stressors related to continuous caregiving.

    Eligibility:

    Deployment Respite is only available when the CAF member is away from home for CAF-related work for 28 days (about 4 weeks) or longer.

    For the purposes of offering Deployment Respite Care, deployment includes:
    • Imposed Restriction (IR)
    • Courses
    • Training
    • Tasking
    • Exercises
    • Overseas Deployment

    Limitations: 

    Deployment Respite Childcare is not intended to cover routine childcare needs (e.g., daycare while the non-deployed parent is at work or school).

    Coverage Details:

    After consultation with the Family Support Services Coordinator and Executive Director, the Calgary MFRC may provide up to 96 hours (about 4 days) of subsidized childcare per family per fiscal year, either in your home or at a childcare facility, for a maximum of 12 hours per week.

    Care will be subsidized at a rate of $15.00/hr. for one child, with a $5.00/hr. for each subsequent child. The rate goes down to $13.00/hr., with an additional $3.00/hr. for childcare provided by a person under the age of 18 who is in school.

    How to Access the Subsidy:

    Consultation with Calgary MFRC staff is required before or during each deployment. Childcare records, paid receipts and/or invoices will not be accepted and paid out without this consultation.

    Childcare records, paid receipts and/or invoices must be given to the Family Support Services Coordinator and Executive Director for approval.
  • Casualty Support Childcare (CSCC)

    Casualty Support Childcare (CSCC)

    Casualty Support Childcare (CSCC) offers up to 168 hours of childcare assistance to the families of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel who are ill, injured, or have died while on duty. The program is designed to provide families with crucial support during difficult times.

    This service aims to alleviate the burden of caregiving by allowing family members to attend health-related appointments, repatriation services, or funeral and bereavement processes without worrying about childcare.

    CSCC also offers a subsidy to help cover the costs of childcare, ensuring that families receive the necessary support without financial strain during these challenging times.

    Eligibility:

    The CSCC Subsidy is available in the following situations:
    • Facilitate attendance at health-related appointments (medical, mental health, social support) that will help with the CAF member’s recovery.
    • Provide respite for families.
    • Allow families to participate in repatriation services.
    • Support families through funeral and bereavement processes.

    Coverage Details:

    • 168 hours (about 1 week) of childcare support is available for families of CAF personnel who are ill, injured or have died while on duty, at no cost to the family.
    • Care will be subsidized at a rate of $15.00/hr. for one child, with a $5.00/hr. for each subsequent child. The rate goes down to $13.00/hr., with an additional $3.00/hr. for childcare provided by a person under the age of 18 who is in school.

    How to Access the Subsidy:

    Consultation with Calgary MFRC staff is required. Childcare records, paid receipts and/or invoices will not be accepted and paid out without this consultation.

    Childcare records, paid receipts and/or invoices must be given to the Family Support Services Coordinator and Executive Director for approval.