{"id":5448,"date":"2021-01-13T21:12:29","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T06:12:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/learn-and-grow\/blog\/thread-conducts-a-second-survey-of-child-care-needs-during-covid-19"},"modified":"2023-06-17T12:59:59","modified_gmt":"2023-06-17T20:59:59","slug":"thread-conducts-a-second-survey-of-child-care-needs-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"learn-and-grow-blog","link":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/learn-and-grow\/blog\/thread-conducts-a-second-survey-of-child-care-needs-during-covid-19","title":{"rendered":"thread Conducts a Second Survey of Child Care Needs During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Since the pandemic began, the majority of Alaska\u2019s child care programs have been open to support children and families. But the demand for child care has been fluctuating as families grapple with returning to the workplace and school safely. Without steady enrollment while mitigating COVID-19, child care programs have been faced with uncertain or reduced income and increasing expenses to stay open and operate safely. After nine months of business interruptions, child care\u2019s survival remains at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
thread <\/strong>has stayed in close contact with child care programs to stay on top of the evolving situation throughout the pandemic. <\/strong>In June 2020, thread <\/strong>conducted a phone survey<\/a> with 304 licensed child care programs across the state to learn about the initial challenges and needs. At that time, child care was beginning to feel the financial pinch to their businesses. Additionally, child care programs, early educators, and families were deeply concerned about the health risks of COVID-19, and programs were adapting mitigation strategies to keep children safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In response to the evolving crisis, thread <\/strong>took action to help stabilize the system. This included advocating for $18.5 million CARES Act funding to be dedicated in local communities to child care. thread <\/strong>also awarded more than $1.5 million in financial assistance to licensed child care programs, in partnership with the State of Alaska Department of Health & Social Services<\/a>, the Alaska Community Foundation<\/a>, the Mat-Su Health Foundation<\/a>, and the Rasmuson Foundation<\/a>. To support child care with PPE\/supplies, thread <\/strong>partnered with the Rasmuson Foundation and the University of Alaska Anchorage College of Health<\/a> on an initiative to connect Alaska organizations to supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognizing that more support may be needed, thread <\/strong>conducted a second survey of 260 licensed child care and after-school\/school-age programs in November 2020, to assess current and future needs. The results show a system still in crisis, indicating a need for continued relief and stabilization efforts. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n Throughout the pandemic the factors challenging the system have been consistent, although the impact of these factors on the system has worsened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key findings from November\u2019s survey show a heightened need for continued financial investment and support for Alaska\u2019s child care system to ensure it does not collapse in 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Key findings include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These results mirror national trends. Child care\u2019s decreased capacity, reduced income, and increased costs from health mandates have disrupted an already financially unstable system. Although relief has come through federal and State programs, the issues are continuing. As the pandemic continues the child care crisis worsens. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n This data snapshot highlights the key findings from thread\u2019s <\/strong>November survey of 260 licensed child care and after-school\/school-age programs. More than 50% are concerned about having to close within the next 12 months, and have the following needs in order to stay open. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFactors Challenging the System<\/strong><\/summary>
Key Findings<\/strong><\/summary>
Data Highlights<\/strong><\/summary>
Funding<\/h4>\n\n\n\n