{"id":5463,"date":"2021-03-02T18:20:01","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T03:20:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/learn-and-grow\/blog\/thread-launches-new-policy-direction-for-2021-updates-research"},"modified":"2021-03-02T18:20:01","modified_gmt":"2021-03-03T03:20:01","slug":"thread-launches-new-policy-direction-for-2021-updates-research","status":"publish","type":"learn-and-grow-blog","link":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/learn-and-grow\/blog\/thread-launches-new-policy-direction-for-2021-updates-research","title":{"rendered":"thread Launches New Policy Direction for 2021 & Updates Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alaska\u2019s early childhood education system is an essential part of the economy, enabling families to work and employing a significant workforce, all while preparing young children for school and life. The pandemic has increased public awareness of its importance for Alaska as well as the complexities of delivering affordable, high-quality child care to all children who need it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the pandemic, the demand for high-quality child care surpassed the supply in Alaska, creating hardship for many families.  To make matters worse, COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the system. While the majority of Alaska\u2019s early childhood education programs are open, they are struggling financially amidst fluctuating enrollments and rising operational costs to keep children safe and healthy.  In a recent thread<\/strong> survey<\/a>, more than 50% of programs are concerned about having to close this year. Alaska cannot afford to lose any of these small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

thread<\/strong>\u2019s vision is that Alaska\u2019s families have access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education, supporting children\u2019s growth and development. It also means early childhood educators are valued for their work and compensated accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before Alaska can realize this vision, the early childhood education system must be stabilized to ensure it will be there for families on the other side of the pandemic. Then the system must be built back better with public and private partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economic Impact of Early Childhood Education<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, Alaska\u2019s early childhood education sector accounted for more than half a billion dollars of economic activity annually<\/strong> from families being able to work as well as the jobs it creates. Alaska\u2019s economy would be negatively impacted without this activity (or a reduced level of this activity).

To capture the economic importance of the childhood education system for Alaska and to show the gaps in care, thread<\/strong> sponsored new updates to the following research: <\/p>\n\n\n\n