Alaska’s child care task force report, released on December 27th, presented a solution to child care shortages affecting families and providers statewide. Governor Mike Dunleavy’s task force’s recommendations outline strategies to improve affordability, accessibility, and workforce conditions in this critical sector.
The task force established last year identified 56 actionable recommendations, including geographic cost of living adjustments to help rural families afford care. “Removing barriers, especially in rural areas, and supporting the child care workforce, are other areas we expect to see long-lasting improvements, as a result of this important work,” stated Heidi Hedberg, Health commissioner. A study by McKinley Research Group revealed significant disparities in child care costs across Alaska, with rural areas facing steep expenses. Monthly preschool costs range from $1,186 in Anchorage to $1,749 in northern regions.
The report suggests extending geographic cost adjustments to income levels and determining subsidy eligibility to reflect higher living costs in rural areas. Improving workforce conditions is another key priority. One proposal recommends subsidies for child care employees with children enrolled at the same facility. Encouraging home-based licensed care, which proves more affordable than center-based care, emerged as a practical solution, especially for rural Alaska. The task force recommends utilizing vacant school classrooms as child care sites to reduce providers’ overhead.
Furthermore, the Anchorage School District is considering a program offering on-site care for staff. The task force also recommended adopting a Tri-Share model, which splits child care costs among parents, employers, and the government. Alaska recently acquired digital fingerprinting equipment to streamline background checks for providers and modernize its hiring process.
Meanwhile, other actions include new legislation expanding subsidies and incentivizing employer investments in child care. Senate Bill 189, passed earlier this year, reflects growing collaboration between government, business, and families. Alaska’s child care task force report hopes to resolve shortages and sustain economic stability for families and businesses by reducing bureaucratic barriers and innovating care solutions.
This news article was originally published by Alaska Beacon.
