COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio is one of 10 states participating in a new YMCA and the Department of Defense collaborative effort aimed at helping deployed National Guard members and their families.

The DoD has contracted with participating YMCA throughout Ohio to provide free family memberships and child care while National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed for six or more months.

"This is a great opportunity, and it's simple to do. There is one source for military members and their families to find out more," said Military OneSource Consultant Mike Magnusson, a member of Ohio's Joint Family Support Assistance Program.

Eligible members can receive up to 18 months of free YMCA membership and 32 hours per month of free child care at participating YMCAs in Ohio. Child care may be available whether members take advantage of the free membership or not.

To find out if a local YMCA participates in the program, or with any questions, eligible members can contact Military OneSource, a DoD initiative developed to help military members and their families.

Signing up for the program requires a YMCA/DoD eligibility form, a copy of deployment orders and military ID. The eligibility form is available on the Military OneSource website, as well as a link to frequently asked questions about the program. Eligible troops and family members without internet access can receive all the information they need by calling the toll-free number, and Military OneSource will send them the eligibility form by mail.

"Our job is to assist the families, and answer any questions and eliminate confusion. We give members one source for all their needs," Magnusson said.