Air Force-level unannounced inspection of Child & Youth Programs at DAFB Published Sept. 30, 2014 By 436th Force Support Squadron DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- The week of September 15-19 was a busy one at the Child Development and Youth Centers. Not only was staff poised and ready to dazzle the Air Force Inspector General (IG) Team here to visit for the bases Unit Effectiveness Inspection (UEI), but add to that the unannounced inspection team from Air Force Personnel Center/Services Child and Youth Programs (CYP)! This unannounced inspection is required by Public Law 104-106 and the Military Child Care Act of 1996. These inspections are important to ensure programs maintain Department of Defense Certification and national accreditation. Ensuring CYPs offer quality, available and affordable child care and programming is essential to the Air Force Mission. Staff at both centers took these inspections in stride, ready to showcase their facilities and programs. The week was a strenuous one with regards to the individual programs being scrutinized for everything connected to their programs, to include finances, daily care of children and youth, scheduling, programming, even hand washing and diapering protocols to ensure the health of children in our facilities. The team arrived Monday morning, provided a quick in brief to managers and the flight chief, then hit the ground running, spending time in each care room at both Child Development Center (CDC) and Youth Center (YC). The two team inspectors were impressed with the professionalism, knowledge, and passion staff displayed for their jobs. It was noted there is long-term staff at both centers, some at the CDC for 25+ years, who shared they just cannot think of having any other job than at the center caring for military community children. One inspector also visited a family child care home in housing to assess the home environment and care provided to children enrolled there. On Friday, a review and out-brief of the week-long inspection was provided to Col. Lisa Pike, 436th Mission Support Group Commander and Lieutenant Col. Don Tasker, 436th Force Support Squadron Commander. Inspectors noted the wonderful, clean facilities for the children, with many age-appropriate toys, but most of all, recognized the dedicated staff that come to work at these centers and take care of our military children. The staff took the inspection results seriously, noting that by virtue of always doing the job to the best of their ability, they are always prepared for the next inspection. The Child Development Center, Family Child Care, and Youth Center programs had no Commander Attention Items; the School Age Program had only two Commander Attention Items noted. One was a missing paperwork item corrected on-the-spot, and the other was an annual training documentation issue that the team plans to have completely corrected by 15 October 2014. In accordance with AFI 34-248, Parent Advisory Board meetings are conducted quarterly. All parents are invited and announcements will be available at child and youth drop-off/pick-up areas. Additionally, parent conferences are offered at least once per year to go over annual contracts. However, parents are welcome to schedule conferences with the management of the appropriate care facility at any time. Our caregivers and program leaders interact with parents every day, communicate regularly via email to parents, and encourage parent involvement with center programs.