Children, Youth and Teens Department of Defense Policies

General Children and Youth Policy

DOD Instruction 6060.02, “Child Development Programs,” Aug. 5, 2014, incorporating Change 2, Effective Sept. 1, 2020 This instruction prescribes policy and procedures for DOD-operated Child Development Programs to include the provision of DOD-sponsored or -operated child development centers, family child care homes and recreational programs on and off the installation.

DOD Instruction 6060.04, “Youth Services Policy,” Dec. 4, 2019 This instruction implements policies and assigns responsibilities for installation-based Youth Program, Youth Sports and Fitness Program, School Liaison Program, and Youth Sponsorship Program.

DOD Instruction 1402.05, “Background Checks on Individuals in DOD Child Care Services Programs,” July 14, 2016 This instruction reissues DOD Instruction 1402.5 to establish policy, assign responsibilities and provide procedures for conducting criminal history checks on all adults who have regular contact with children under age 18 in DOD-sanctioned programs.

DOD Instruction 1015.10, “Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs,” July 6, 2009, certified as current May 6, 2011 This instruction reissues DOD Instruction 1015.10, and incorporates and cancels DOD Directive 1015.2, to establish and implement policy, assign responsibilities and prescribe procedures for operating and managing programs for military MWR programs. Child care and youth programs are specifically cited in this Instruction as basic community support programs (Category B MWR programs).

DOD Instruction 1342.22, “Military Family Readiness,” Aug. 5, 2021 This instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities and prescribes procedures and requirements for supporting military family readiness through a system that maximizes access to a network of programs and services, the Military Family Readiness System.

Family Care Plans Policy

DOD Instruction 1342.19, “Family Care Plans,” May 7, 2010, incorporating Change 1, Nov. 30, 2017 This instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities and prescribes procedures for the care of family members of DOD and emergency-essential civilian personnel who are single parents, dual-military couples with dependents, members of emergency-essential civilian personnel who otherwise bear sole responsibility for the care of children under age 19, or other personnel with family members who are unable to care for themselves in the absence of the member or emergency-essential employee.