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Files and Packages

What is the Turn Care Into Credit Service Hours Initiatives

Across military-connected and civilian families, thousands of teens quietly care for parents, siblings, or relatives with medical, mental health, or service-connected needs.

 

They coordinate appointments, assist with mobility, manage younger siblings, translate for adults, run the household during deployment or crisis, and provide daily emotional support.

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The Turn Care into Credit Service Hours (TCCSH) initiative, led by the Military Child World Expo Foundation (MCWEF) - The National Association For Military-Connected Children, provides a national framework to:

  • Recognize teen caregivers for their unseen service

  • Convert caregiving hours into community service credit

  • Document those hours for schools, scholarships, and youth programs

  • Connect teens and families to resources and recognition events

Who Qualifies?

Who Is Considered a Teen Caregiver?

 

A teen caregiver may be:

  • A youth helping a parent with mobility, pain, PTSD, TBI, or chronic illness

  • A sibling providing daily care to a brother or sister with disabilities or special needs

  • A teen taking on adult responsibilities during deployment, TDY, or extended absence

  • A youth coordinating medication, appointments, translation, or household tasks because of a relative’s medical or service-connected condition

 

If a teen’s daily responsibilities go beyond typical chores and directly support the health, safety, or stability of a family member, they likely qualify.

 

[See Eligibility Examples →] (links to “Resources & FAQs”)​

How It Works (At A Glance)

Image by Nate Holland

1

Identity

  • A teen, parent, teacher, counselor, or community organization identifies a possible teen caregiver.

  • Start with the “Register a Teen Caregiver” form.

2

Verify

  • A school official, healthcare provider, case manager, or designated verifier confirms the caregiving role and approximate hours.

  • They complete a Verification Form online or via PDF.

3

Credit & Recognize

  • MCWEF issues an official service hour record with the TCCSH seal.

  • Teens may be nominated for the Torch of Care Medallion, invited to the Teen Caregivers Breakfast, and recognized at the Military Child World Expo.

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Register A Teen Caregiver

Download Verification Guideline

Why Turn Care into Credit?


Teen caregivers often:

  • Miss out on extracurriculars and traditional service opportunities

  • Struggle to explain their responsibilities to schools or employers

  • Feel invisible or “just doing what I have to do”

 

TCCSH changes that narrative. It validates their work as service, not just circumstance.

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