Seventeen million dollars was approved by the U.S. House May 14, to construct a new child development center and expand the existing one at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. The funding was included in the FY 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act, which passed 368-60 and will be considered in the Senate next week.
“This funding will help ensure service members and federal employees working at Pax River have access to childcare services – an important accommodation that helps employees achieve a healthy work-life balance and strengthens Pax’s tools for recruitment and retention,” stated Congressman Steny Hoyer. “The work done at Pax is highly valued by the military, and the continued investment in the personnel and facilities reflect that.”
Child Development Center – $13.15 million
This project constructs a new Child Development Center which serves personnel at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. There is a current waiting list of 176 children for the existing facility. The existing CDC is split between two under-sized buildings, one of which was constructed in 1943. As a result of the limited capacity, military personnel assigned to NAS Patuxent River that are not accommodated are forced find accredited providers further away from their place of work at a greater cost than that which is provided on base.
Child Development Center Expansion -$3.85 million
This project expands the existing CDC building 2030. This expansion will allow for the current facility to hold additional infants and children ranging in age from birth to five years. Funding will also go towards the demolition of the second CDC, which was constructed in 1943.