In this Issue

• Army Child Care in Your Neighborhood - A Family's Experience
• Spotlight On: Family Child Care
• Annual Report
• Forum Corner
• Early Learning Coalition Briefs
• Legislative Updates
• State and National News
• Calendar of Events

Read the Rizzo's ACCYN experience

U.S. Army Captain David Rizzo and his wife, April, moved to Miami in August 2006 after David was stationed at USSOUTHCOM. The two had been married for about six months. Neither April or David spoke any Spanish and they felt out of place in the multicultural melting pot of Miami.

In August of 2007, the Rizzos got the happy news that they were expecting their first child. They were thrilled, but realized they were facing many challenges, including the care of their soon-to-arrive son, Jacob.

April experienced a turbulent pregnancy, interfering with the Rizzo's ability to research child care facilities. Luckily, Jacob Gaetano was born healthy and strong on March 21, 2008.

Because both David and April are from Pennsylvania, neither had any family in the state of Florida who could help with child care. After beginning their search in April of 2008, the Rizzos realized that the best child care facilities had been reserved for at least a year and the window for exceptional care seemed to be closed. They also were unfamiliar with the military benefits and programs that were available to them. Fortunately, David's unit told him about ACCYN and provided local contact information. They began initial discussions with Joanie Grillo, their ACCYN representative.

The Rizzos told Joanie that they desperately wanted to send Jacob to the United Way Center for Excellence, but they were pessimistic about the availability of child care at the facility. However, Joanie remained focused on obtaining a spot for Jacob at United Way.

As the end of April's maternity leave quickly approached, the Rizzos considered having her stay home and care for Jacob as they could not find any child care facilities that suited their needs. The family's finances would have been greatly affected if April did not go back to work, forcing major adjustments to the way they lived. But Joanie kept her promise about finding the best possible care for Jacob.

About one week prior to the start of the school year in August, Joanie called the Rizzos and gave them the happy news that a spot had just opened at the United Way. They were ecstatic, as they knew that Jacob would be going to an outstanding facility that would foster his early development in a clean, safe and secure environment. The Rizzos could not have asked for a better situation. The ACCYN subsidy was expedited and helped offset the costs of the United Way program. April and David are truly grateful to Joanie and the United Way for helping them ensure a bright future for their son, Jacob.

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