Hiring freeze to affect hourly child care at Fort Drum, military approves new hires

March 02--Tweet

FORT DRUM -- Hourly child care on post will be affected due to staff shortages connected to President Donald J. Trump's hiring freeze for federal workers.

Currently, parents could schedule hourly care up to 30 days in advance. After March 24, reservations will only be available up to a week in advance.

Post spokeswoman Kae L. Young said the post received an exemption Tuesday from the Secretary of the Army to make new hires for child care positions.

However, there is no set time for the new workers to come into place, so the length of the child care disruptions on post due to the 90-day hiring freeze nationally is uncertain.

Hiring for child care specifically can be challenging, with applicants needing background checks and certifications before they are allowed direct contact with children,

"The importance of confirming that all of these checks and certifications are completed properly can't be overstated as they ensure the health and safety of the children in our care," Mrs. Young said, in an email to the Times. "Due the comprehensive nature of that process, hiring times can vary and are dependent on individual circumstances."

Mrs. Young did not have any specific numbers for how many positions that need to be filled.

"Our civilian workforce remains committed to providing the best service possible to our soldiers and family members and we are making adjustments as necessary to meet the needs of our community," she said.

Tom Flanigan, spokesman for Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Willsboro, said Ms. Stefanik opposed an across the board freeze due to the implications for military readiness and the welfare of military personnel and their families.

Mr. Flanigan said Ms. Stefanik's office has worked with staff from the Secretary of the Army's office to ensure waivers are granted to protect training capabilities and personnel at Fort Drum.

The child care issues at Fort Drum are similar to those seen at military installations in Fort Knox, Ky. and Wiesbaden, Germany, where day care programs were being threatened with cuts prior to Pentagon-approved exemptions to the policy.

However, dozens of families at those locations saw interruptions in their child care as a result of the freeze.

The Washington Post contributed to this report.

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