Starting January 1st, Alaskans can donate to their favorite charitable organizations while completing their Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) application. thread is proud to participate once again in Pick.Click.Give, and we encourage you to consider supporting our efforts to strengthen child care in Alaska. Your contribution helps ensure a brighter future for families, children, and communities across the state.
The Economic Power of Child Care in Alaska
Child care is more than just a service for young children; it is a cornerstone of Alaska’s economic growth. Early care and education (ECE) services enable nearly 50,000 adults to participate in the workforce, contributing to $4.6 billion in earnings. For families, accessible child care means better job stability and increased income, with single parents seeing an average annual increase of $78,500 (for single mothers) and $89,400 (for single fathers). Families with two parents working experience an average increase of $41,000 in earnings. However, child care accessibility remains a significant challenge. The 2023 Economic Impact Report, a collaboration between thread, McKinley Research, and the State of Alaska, highlights critical barriers such as availability, cost, and quality of services. These challenges prevent many parents from fully participating in the workforce. In fact, over half of families report difficulties securing care, and 51% of families say they cannot work as much as they would like due to child care constraints — a marked increase from 25% in 2019.
The Child Care Workforce Shortage
Despite their crucial role, early childhood educators are among the lowest-paid workers in Alaska, earning an average of $29,500 annually. This low pay leads to high turnover and vacancies, creating instability in child care programs. As the demand for services increases, the supply of licensed child care providers continues to shrink — by 25% since 2019. This gap in supply and the underpaid workforce exacerbates the challenges families face in finding quality care for their children.
A Call to Action: Supporting Change
Investing in child care is essential for fostering economic growth and supporting families. By supporting thread through Pick.Click.Give, you help strengthen Alaska’s child care system by:
- Supporting families in finding affordable, high-quality child care, enabling parents to pursue their careers and educational goals.
- Investing in early childhood educators and child care programs, improving wages and job stability for the people who nurture and educate young Alaskans.
- Advocating for policies that make child care more affordable and accessible while ensuring high-quality care for all Alaskan families.
- Helping communities and the Alaska economy thrive by creating a more productive workforce and a healthier, more stable family environment.
If you are unable to make a financial contribution, there are still ways to show your support:
- Sign up for thread’s action alerts to advocate for policy changes and share your views with lawmakers.
- Follow thread on social media to stay connected and engaged with the latest child care news.
- Donate supplies to your local child care program.
- Advocate for high-quality, affordable child care in Alaska.
The future of child care in Alaska is full of potential, and it’s up to us to make that future a reality. By contributing to thread, you are not only supporting families and educators today but also helping to shape a stronger, more sustainable child care system for the future. Let’s work together to ensure that all Alaskan children and families have the support they need to thrive. Thank you for your continued commitment to our children and communities!