Family care plans must also include arrangements for the financial well-being of family members covered by the family care plan during short- and long-term separations. Arrangements for financial care should include power(s) of attorney, allotments, or other appropriate means to ensure the self-sufficiency and financial security of family members.
Each of the services have special provisions in place which allow designated care-providers to have access to military base facilities (commissary, BX/PX, medical) in order to affect the care of the military dependents, when the family care plan is actually in effect (i.e., care has been transferred from the military member to the care provider).
Commander Review
The regulations require that each family care plan be reviewed for workability and completeness by the commander or a designated representative. The "designated representative" is usually the executive officer or first sergeant. After the initial review, the plans are updated by the member and reviewed at least annually.
Time Periods
When a military member first becomes a single-parent or military couple with children, he/she must notify his or her commander, supervisor, or the commander's designated representative immediately but no later than 30 days of the occurrence of change in family circumstances or personal status (60 days for Guard/Reserve members). After that, the military member(s) have 60 days (90 days for Guard/Reserve members) to submit a completed family care plan. If mitigating circumstances are involved, the commander or supervisor concerned may grant the member an additional 30 days to submit an acceptable family care plan. Further extensions are not authorized.
The same 60 day rule applies for active duty military members who move from one military base to another. They have 60 days to find a short-term care provider who lives in the local area.
Military mothers of newborns receive a 4-month deferment from duty away from the home station for the period immediately following the birth of a child. This provision is to assist the member in developing family care plans and to establish a pattern of child care. Single members or one member of a military couple who adopt receive a 4-month deferment from the date the child is placed in the home as part of the formal adoption process. Similarly, Reserve component members receive a 4-month deferment from involuntary recall to active duty.
Penalties
Failure to produce the required family care plan within the time periods required can result in involuntary separation from the military by reason of parenthood in accordance with DOD Directive 1332.14 (enlisted) or DOD Directive 1332.30 (officers). Failure to produce the required family care plan in the case of the Reserve member can result in processing for discharge or transfer to an inactive or retired status.
