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ARNG Child, Youth & School Services

Army National Guard Child, Youth & School Services

The Army National Guard’s Child, Youth, and School Services Program recognize and understand the unique challenges that National Guard children and youth face. CYSS provides quality programs and resources that support dependent youth of Army Guard Service Members. These programs and resources assist with building and enhancing character, leadership, and resilience in Guard youth which plays a vital role in ensuring a ready and resilience National Guard Family.

The National Guard Bureau established the National Guard Child, Youth, and School Services Program (CYSS) in all 50 States, 3 Territories and the District of Columbia. Initiated in 2004, the Army National Guard (ARNG) Child and Youth program supports family readiness through proactive youth development programming and life skills education, Army Community-Based Child Care and Respite Care programs, and Operation Military Kids.

Mission Statement

“To promote and sustain the quality of life and resiliency of National Guard children and youth by providing secure, timely, flexible, high-quality support services and enrichment programs.” The CYSS accomplish this mission through six goals: education, access, opportunity, communication, resiliency and outreach.

Goals

Eligibly

The Child, Youth, and School Services Program (CYSS) is available for school age dependants of Army National Guard service members ages 6 to 18 years old. Resources and information for childcare is available for children ages 0-5 years old.

Professional Staff

The CYSS staff is composed of a total of 104 Child and Youth Program Coordinators (CYPC), who are contracted personnel, within each State, Territory and the District of Columbia, who plans, develops and executes the National Guard Child & Youth program at the state/territory level. The CYPC are located at the Joint Force Headquarters. The CYSS staff is augmented with volunteers who have successful completed both and FBI and State background check.

Execution of State CYSS Program

The CYPCs plan, develop and execute youth development and life skills education opportunities to meet the needs of school-aged ARNG youth within the state. Additionally, the CYPCs educate ARNG Families regarding available child and youth resources and opportunities. The CYPC are advocates and bring awareness to communities of the challenges faced by Guard Youth. They build partnerships with state and local governmental and non-governmental agencies and community members to build community capacity and support for all military youth.

Each state execution of the CYSS program will differ according to state needs of the child and youth population.Each state is encouraged to utilize a variety of programs to meet the needs. Below are the capabilities of the CYSS.

Contact your state CYPC for more information and available opportunities.

Programs

Contact your state CYPC/

ARNG Child, Youth, & School Services Handbook

The purpose the ARNG CYSS Handbook is to provide an overview of available child and youth programs and resources to Commanders, Soldiers and their Families.

Click here to view the FAQ for more information.