The U.S. Department of Defense has announced a one-year extension to its Armed Services Young Men's Christian Association Military Outreach Initiative, according to DoD officials.
Originally set to expire in March 2015, the extension now carries the YMCA Military Outreach program through March 2016.
The partnership, between the Defense Department and the Armed Services YMCA, offers no-cost memberships and respite child care services to eligible service members and their families who are geographically dispersed during times of deployment.
"The Department of Defense maintains its commitment to support all military families, in particular those who serve in geographically dispersed assignments," says Rosemary Williams, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy. "This initiative is especially valuable for those living in areas distant from a military installation, allowing them to access [YMCA] services in their own communities."
Williams said service members and their families currently using the program will now be able to continue to do so uninterrupted through next March.
"We are very pleased that we are able to extend this opportunity for another year," Williams says.