Chattanooga, TN – According to the state officials, the initiative, developed through TDHS’s partnership with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Fort Campbell, is designed to assist military-affiliated families in securing reliable care for their children.

Under this new program, eligible Tennessee child care providers can join the DoD’s Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) initiative. This program offers child care payment assistance to military families, helping to reduce financial burdens while ensuring children receive quality care.

To qualify, providers must achieve a quality score of 80 to 100 through TDHS’s recently implemented Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS). This system ensures providers adhere to state regulations regarding health, safety, and licensure.

The QRIS evaluates and highlights the level of quality delivered by licensed child care providers across Tennessee. All TDHS-licensed providers participate in the system and receive a Child Care Score Card to help families make informed decisions.

“Access to affordable child care is an important issue that we continue to prioritize to support families across the state,” said Governor Bill Lee. “Through this partnership with the Department of Defense, we are giving Tennessee servicemembers the support they deserve while helping them keep their children safe and cared for, so they can continue to protect and serve our great nation.”

This initiative underscores Tennessee’s commitment to improving resources for military families, ensuring their children receive the care and support they need.