Free Childcare to Start for North Dakota Soldiers
The state National Guard will cover drill weekend care for children aged six weeks to 12 years starting in November 2026.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Child Care
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Starting in November 2026, the North Dakota Army National Guard will provide free childcare for soldiers during drill weekends. This benefit covers children from six weeks through 12 years old for up to 12 hours per day, helping military families manage logistical needs during training.
Why it matters
This initiative aims to alleviate the financial and administrative burdens on military families by removing the need for upfront costs or reimbursement paperwork. It allows soldiers to focus on their essential duties without the stress of securing reliable, last-minute care.
The program provides 12 hours of free care per day to children between six weeks and 12 years old, replacing a system that previously lacked comprehensive support for drill weekends. It remains unknown how many local providers will be available through the Upwards network to meet demand.
The players
North Dakota Army National Guard
A military force that provides domestic disaster response and national defense, now expanding its support services for service members.
Upwards
A childcare network that facilitates the connection between parents and local providers to streamline care coordination.
The details
The program coordinates services through the childcare network Upwards, allowing soldiers to find providers near their homes or drill locations. Families register through an online portal to confirm eligibility, which requires that no other adult in the household is available to provide care during the training. By automating the payment process, the initiative eliminates the need for soldiers to handle upfront expenses or submit follow-up reimbursement documentation.
Timeline
The program expansion officially launches in November 2026.
Health Landscape
This program aligns with ongoing efforts to reduce life stress for service members as part of a broader national trend in military family support initiatives. It represents a shift toward more accessible, systemic family resources designed to bolster the stability of soldiers' households.
If you are a North Dakota National Guard member with children, you may benefit from this new service to reduce the stress of balancing training and family care. It is worth discussing your specific childcare needs with your unit leadership to ensure you understand how to register via the Upwards portal.
The takeaway
Reliable childcare is a critical component of maintaining mental well-being and focus for service members during intensive training cycles. If you have questions about current family support resources in your area, contact your chain of command or reach out to local military family support centers.
Further reading
For more information on balancing family responsibilities, visit our Child Care resources.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kfyrtv.
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