CDC staff cares for Yokota's children through adversity

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lynsie Nichols
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Many businesses have been affected by the events of March 11, but Yokota's child development centers are pulling together to keep their operations as normal as possible for the families remaining here.

Combined, the Yume and Kibo CDCs have lost a total of 24 staff members and 75 children to the wave of voluntary departure flights that began March 19.

"The loss of staff members and children has not affected the care that we provide," said Pam Frank, Yume director. "We have been able to maintain the same care for the children that we always have."

In an effort to help the children understand what happened, staff members incorporated natural disaster training into their lesson plans.

"I think it helps that we talk with the children about what happened," said Esther Brown-Robinson, Kibo director. "We practice what to do in the event of another earthquake."

Ms. Frank agreed and added, "It's interesting, the children will actually go outside and play earthquake; they will hide under structures for awhile and then come out."

The children, of the families who chose to stay at Yokota, may have noticed some of their friends missing from their class but they have been assured that their friends will soon be back.

"We tell them that, yes, their friends are back in the states to see their families but they will be back soon," said Ms. Brown-Robinson. "In their minds, it's just like their friends are on a vacation."

While the childcare provided remains the same, there have been a few small changes. The infant age group has been reduced from three full classrooms to one, the pre-toddler group has been combined in one room instead of two and the preschool rooms have been combined into two instead of three. Even though the numbers of staff and children have dropped, the remaining CDC staff have been there for Yokota's children.

"All of the staff members have remained flexible to help out wherever needed to accomplish the mission," said Bob Huber, pre-toddler room lead. "I will be happy to see everyone once they return."

Nancy Belasco, a childcare assistant agrees adding, "We've been working hard and we're here for the kids; our best interest is in our children and community."

The staff at both the Yume and Kibo CDCs want to remind everyone that they are here for the children and their families.

"We want to reassure our community and our families that we provide normalcy in their children's lives; we ask that parents do the same because it helps for an easier transition into our programs," said Cathy Catling, flight chief of Airmen and Family services.