Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation plans to help members of the United States military get a little more rest and relaxation while on leave. The Cherokee Nation Child Care Resource Center recently announced the launch of “Operation Child Care,” a program to help match volunteer child care providers with military families who need temporary assistance in caring for a child. National Guard and Reserve members who are returning home from Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom for two weeks of “R&R” leave are eligible to receive a minimum of four hours of free child care.

“Operation Child Care was designed for National Guard and Reserve personnel because they do not typically have access to the military family support programs provided to active duty personnel,” said Kim Phillips, resource and referral specialist at the Cherokee Nation Child Care Resource Center.

The Cherokee Nation Child Care Resource Center is currently recruiting child care providers willing to volunteer their time to care for the children of citizen soldiers in our area. Volunteer child care providers who meet state and local child care regulations are asked to provide at least four hours of free child care so that service members can attend to family business, or take their spouses out for a date while they are on “R&R” leave.

“The response from our community has been terrific,” Kim Phillips said. “It’s a way child care providers can help out our military personal and show their support at a local level.”

Child care providers who are interested in volunteering should contact the Cherokee Nation Child Care Resource Center CCRC, phone: 888-458-6230 and visit “ Operation Child Care” on the web.

National Guard and Reserve members with valid military identification and leave orders who would like to receive a donation of free child care should contact the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agency’s Child Care Aware® hotline 800-424-2246, or visit the CCA web site.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org