SAN DIEGO -- The first assessment of the needs of San Diego military families showed that transportation, child care facilities, financial education and information about free services and events are the top issues, it was announced Tuesday.

The findings were in a two-part study that determined needs and whether the San Diego Armed Services YMCA was effective in helping local families.

Among the suggestions offered by military families:

starting a shuttle from various points within the county to the Naval Medical Center and the commissary

opening drop-in child care centers since the cost of non-military services are prohibitive

promoting food stamp and other programs for lower-income military families

creating a single place for military families to gain information, based on the county's 211 system

Many of the families that took part in focus groups were junior enlisted personnel, away from home for the first time and some with children -- including single parents -- often living below the federal poverty level.

"They discussed a desire to provide the 'American Way' of life for their children; good food to eat, healthy physical and social activities to develop their skills and interests, good schools, and family outings and recreation," the report states.

Junior armed forces members need to be taught how to develop a family budget and manage their money, and are generally unaware of available programs and services that can help them, according to the report.

The study gave high marks to the Armed Services YMCA for its programs, though military members said locations and operating hours were sometimes inconvenient.