Metro graphics photo The Army Family Covenant specifically notes Army Leadership's commitment to "ensuring excellence in schools, youth services, and child care."

Fort Gordon Child, Youth & School Services truly believes that the strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their Families.

When Soldiers are deployed we want them to be able to concentrate on their mission. The Army Family Covenant communicates Fort Gordon's CYSS commitment to provide the Army Family with a quality of life that honors the sacrifices our Soldiers and their Families make to protect American's Freedom.

This is what the Army Family Covenant has done for Fort Gordon Families through the Child, Youth & School Services.

DEPLOYMENT CYCLE SUPPORT

-- 2,418 hours of Respite Child & Youth Care in support of deployed Families for a savings to our patrons of $8,269.

--4122 child and youth care hours provided in support of FRGs.

--124 hours of extended operations for CYSS Programs serving 679 children & youth.

Fee Reductions for Parents

-- 1,692 Families have received free CYSS registration for a savings to our patrons of $30,456.

--CYSS has provided reduced fees for 489 Families for a savings to our patrons of $12,004.

SUPPORT FOR WARRIORS IN TRANSITION --WTs have been provided 274 hours of no-cost hourly care for respite and medical appointments.

--110 WT Families have utilized full time child care at a CAT 1 level saving our WT patrons $6,303.95.

PARTNERSHIPS AND QUALITY PROGRAMS

FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

--All Fort Gordon CYSS programs (Child Development Center, Family Child Care Programs, School Age Services Programs) have received National Accreditation.

--All Fort Gordon CYSS programs have received Department of Defense Certification.

The Fort Gordon Youth Center is an affiliated member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Department of Agriculture for 4-H.

CYSS School Liaison Officers were available to serve 3,340 children in two Georgia school districts. SLOs specifically

touched 1,804 children through CYSS programming such as peer tutoring, KeyStone and Torch Club events, life skills and work force preparation, school transition, outreach services and mentoring. Over 154 personal contacts were made with parents or other adults in reference to schools and transitions.

As Fort Gordon continues to take care of military Families and through the funding of AFC, we will soon break ground on a 232 and 144 capacity Child Development Center, a 135 multi-functional Child Development Center and there are plans for a 150 capacity Middle School and Teen Center for our sixth- 12th grades.

As Fort Gordon continues to celebrate the Army Family Covenant, come and join the excitement and discounts for children and youth in our CYSS programs.

For more information on the benefits of CYSS, contact Mary Crowder, Child, Youth & School Ser- vices division chief.