How one program helped hundreds of military families gain access to weekend childcare [Video]

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – When Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Joshua Bartel and his wife, Amanda, found out they could get free childcare, they were thrilled.

It’s part of a program the U.S. Army started last September.

It provides grants to pay for weekend childcare for qualifying military families.

The company that administers the program, Upwards, says it’s seen the impact in Iowa and a handful of other states.

“This has helped families be able to attend drill and not miss drill due to, for example, not having friends or family nearby to watch their children.” said Jessa Santangelo, Upwards’ Vice President of Business Development and Community Impact.

And that’s a struggle the Bartels know all too well.

“Before we had found this program, I was just pretty much single mom-ing it every weekend, doing everything on my own with all the kids.” said Amanda Bartel, who’s husband is an …