HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- While raising five children of her own and navigating the routine challenges of military life, Family Child Care provider Lauren Whitehead actively opens her home to support other military families.
Her dedicated service to the base community recently earned her selection as the Hill Air Force Base 2025 Family Child Care Provider of the Year.
According to Alisa Delisle, Hill AFB Family Child Care coordinator, Whitehead provides up to 50 hours of childcare each week, including volunteer hours during weekends and evenings to support families undergoing deployments.
Whitehead is currently enrolled in early childhood college courses and is working toward accreditation through the National Association for Family Child Care, which would make her the second accredited provider at the installation.
“Whitehead was selected in recognition of her outstanding dedication to supporting military families,” Delisle said. “She consistently opens her home to additional military families and provides a warm, dependable environment for their children.”
Whitehead is one of six certified FCC providers at Hill AFB. The program offers home-based care for children aged two weeks to 12 years, serving as an option for families awaiting placement at the Child Development Center or those seeking smaller child-to-provider ratios.
For Whitehead, who has worked with children for 18 years and operated her FCC home for six of those years, the recognition was especially meaningful.
“Receiving this award is a great honor and means so much to me,” Whitehead said. “I especially enjoy meeting new children and families, building meaningful relationships, and being part of their journey. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is supporting military families through the many transitions that come with military life.
"I enjoy welcoming new children, helping them feel comfortable and cared for, and giving parents peace of mind,” she added. “Knowing that I can provide a safe, supportive, and familiar place for families during times of change is something I value.”
Under the Expanded Child Care Program, FCC providers can offer care during unit training assembly weekends, deployments, military spouse appointments, and medical emergencies.
Before certification, providers must complete 40 hours of training, including CPR, child development coursework, and Air Force policy training. Following certification, they must complete Air Force Child Care Modules and undergo monthly unannounced home visits and annual inspections.
The FCC program is currently seeking to increase its roster of certified providers. The program currently has five applicants in the training pipeline.
“It’s a great opportunity for spouses to stay home with their own children, earn an income, and help support military families,” Delisle said.
Families seeking childcare, or individuals interested in becoming an FCC provider, can contact Deslisle at 801-586-6705 or alisa.delisle.1@us.af.mil.
Available openings are also posted on the “Hill AFB FCC Providers” Facebook page.