Military families are being asked to do more with fewer resources, especially when it comes to child care. In a session at TotalForce+, Kayla Corbitt, founder and CEO of Operation Child Care Project (OCCP), will introduce HomeFront Help, a pioneering pilot program designed to meet military families where they are.

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For Corbitt, this effort is close to home: She is also a military spouse and mother. At TotalForce+, which runs Oct. 28-29, she will highlight the importance of access to child care among military families — something she says has reached “a crisis point.”

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Q. What made you want to participate in TotalForce+?

A. When I first heard about TotalForce+, it was described as a conference for the people, and that immediately resonated with us. At Operation Child Care Project, we often say our only stakeholders are the families we serve. Every position we take, every program we design, and every resource we offer exists because families have asked for them. That approach has stayed consistent as we have grown because one truth holds firm: When you listen to families, they will tell you what they need.

TotalForce+ is rethinking the typical conference experience. Instead of prioritizing sponsor presentations or promotional moments, it centers on real conversations and practical solutions. That aligns with everything we believe in at OCCP. We knew we had to be part of something that focuses on impact instead of performance.

Q. What message will you be bringing to TotalForce+ attendees?

A. OCCP will be bringing the voices of military and veteran families directly into the conversation. We have spent years listening to their stories, identifying patterns in their struggles, and partnering with them to build meaningful solutions. Access to child care has been a persistent challenge for military families, but we are seeing it reach a crisis point. Whether or not OCCP is in the room, the message remains the same: Include families in your decision-making process. Their lived experiences offer more than insight — they offer direction.

Q. What challenges are you eager for TotalForce+ to tackle?

A. The military and veteran community may be small in size, but it carries enormous strength. Every day, individuals and grassroots leaders create real change. However, their voices are often overlooked or absorbed into larger national organizations. This is an area where TotalForce+ can lead with purpose.

Solutions work best when they come from the people who have lived the problem. TotalForce+ has the opportunity to uplift those voices, support their leadership, and connect them with those in positions of power. We believe this approach can create lasting, systemic change.

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Q. What OCCP programs are most popular with military families?

A. Two of our most used and most requested services are one-on-one case management and the HomeFront Help pilot program. Both were created based on what families told us they needed most.

HomeFront Help offers free training and background checks to trusted caregivers who are already helping families in highly populated military communities. The program also includes a stipend for completing the training. This is a win for local communities, which gain additional trained and ready caregivers, and a win for military families, who rely on these caregivers to help fill the gaps that friends and neighbors often cover in civilian life.

One-on-one case management continues to be a cornerstone. Families face different care needs throughout the military journey and often feel overwhelmed or isolated. Our case managers take the time to understand their short-term needs and long-term goals. We do this without judgment and with a strong sense of curiosity and care. Whether a family is preparing for a deployment, navigating a PCS move, managing a health crisis, or simply dealing with the daily challenges of raising children while serving, we are here to help. We do not believe families should have to figure it out alone.

Q. What grassroots efforts are helping military families struggling with deployments?

A. Trusted caregivers are stepping up in everyday ways, whether that is through child care, help with errands, or just being a consistent presence. Many families are also turning to the HomeFront Help pilot to meet ad hoc care needs during deployment cycles. Whether it is for appointments, faith-based activities, or community events, these caregivers are helping keep families grounded.

In addition, our case managers work directly with servicemembers preparing to deploy. We help them put plans in place so they can stay focused on their mission, knowing their children are supported at home. Military spouses often take on the role of solo parenting for long stretches. Our team walks alongside them to identify resources, evaluate options, and ensure they do not have to carry it all on their own.

Disclaimer: MOAA and the TotalForce+ conference do not endorse, certify, or assume liability for any child care navigation services provided by OCCP or any third-party providers. OCCP is an independent organization, and all child care arrangements — including selection, vetting, and payment of caregivers — are solely between the attendee and OCCP or another third-party provider. MOAA is not responsible for any agreements, actions, or outcomes related to child care services before, during, or after the conference.