The following broadcast was released by the Alaska Child Care Program Office on Sept. 15, 2021
The Child Care Program Office (CCPO) opened the application process for Phase 1 – Child Care Stabilization Grants on September 1st in partnership with thread, Alaska’s child care resource and referral network. We’re pleased to report that thus far we’ve received 253 applications for stabilization grants, which represents approximately 51% percent of eligible providers. We’re aiming for full participation and will continue to update you as we work toward this goal. Eligible providers are encouraged to apply if they have not already.
The CCPO welcomes your feedback. We’re maintaining a catalog of questions and input from providers and partners, and collaborating with other states to better serve Alaskans in future stabilization phases. We are working steadily to develop the next phase and are planning to open phase 2 applications between January and March of 2022.
Responses to the questions the CCPO has received follow:
Why is the application collecting information on my budget and expenses?
The state is federally required to collect expense information as criteria for stabilization grants. Phase one provides immediate relief while collecting expense information from childcare providers. Having this information on file as well as additional information collected in the application will allow CCPO to make informed decisions for future phases, such as frequency and amount of payments.
Why is the grant period one month?
The state is federally required to define the “grant period” for which grant stipulations must occur. Alaska is keeping the period at one month to fully minimize the impact on providers.
Why are stipulations placed on my program’s workforce, furlough, and providing tuition/copayment relief for families?
These stipulations are federal requirements that must be addressed during the application process. The language in the stipulation for tuition/copayment relief includes “to the extent possible”, allowing child care programs to independently decide what the “extent possible” is for their organizations to provide those opportunities.
Why is there a 60-day application processing timeline?
Although it may appear burdensome, the 60-day period is the fastest, most reasonable timeline possible for staff to ensure we are meeting state and federal requirements for the distribution of grants. After implementing phase 1, there may be opportunities to further abbreviate the processing timeline in upcoming phases.
Why is the first phase only a $5 million distribution in grants?
The child care stabilization grant process requires multiple grant opportunities for providers. Phase 1 awards $5 million and is intended to provide relief as immediately as possible. In phase 1 applications the CCPO will collect data such as frequency and amount of payments providers need to support long term stabilization. Results from the first phase will inform future phases including allowing the CCPO to distribute a higher amount of funding.
What documentation do I need to keep?
Continue to keep documentation as you typically do for business purposes and participation in programs such as Child Care Licensing & Child Care Assistance. Also keep documentation that certifies you are using federal funds for their intended purpose, such as receipts. Stabilization grant recipients are required to maintain their own documentation for items authorized in the grant approval.
Will I be audited or monitored?
As with many funding opportunities, stabilization grant recipients may be subject to monitoring.
thread will answer questions and provide technical assistance for the grant application process for all providers. Please refer to thread’s application help page at www.threadalaska.org/covidreliefhelp for helpful resources including instructional videos, frequently asked questions, and free training webinars. Application questions can be emailed to covidrelief@threadalaska.org
Thank you for your continued commitment to Alaska’s children and families.
For further questions about this broadcast, please contact the CCPO by phone (907) 269-4500,
fax (907) 269-4536, or email ccpo@alaska.gov.