The following broadcast was released by the Alaska Child Care Program Office on July 20, 2021
The Child Care Program Office (CCPO) is continuing strategic planning to use federal stimulus funding under the Coronavirus Relief Response and Relief (CRRSA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The division has received $18.8M under CRRSA, and approximately $73M under ARPA. Of the $73M ARPA funding, Alaska has been allocated $45M for child care stabilization, and $28M in supplemental Discretionary funds to expand access to high-quality child care and move toward a more equitable child care system.
For information about these relief funds, click here.
The Child Care Program Office’s highest priority is to administer stabilization subgrants to qualified providers. Our ongoing planning will address systems and structures that build long-term sustainability for child care providers and programs and services that support the whole child. Planning will continue through the summer with the intent to employ some strategies in the fall and winter. Supports underway include:
- Establishing the initial stabilization grant – applications will be available soon!
- Free thread training for child care providers for FY22 that began July 1st.
- SEED ROOTS wage bonus to support the child care workforce; applications available December 2021.
- Payment of parent co-pays for the service months of June, July, August, and September 2021.
We continue to collaborate with state and federal partners to inform our decision-making and develop our plan. Efforts include:
- Meeting with federal oversight agencies and resource organizations to fulfill requirements and adopt guidance for the use of stabilization and Discretionary funds.
- Collaborating with partner agencies to identify opportunities to support the whole child.
- Exchanging information with Child Care Development Fund programs in other states for strategic planning.
- Using our most recent Early Childhood Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan to inform our planning efforts and adopt supportive business practices.
- Identifying potential gaps and resources needed to successfully implement our plans.
- Gathering input and feedback from child care providers, partners, and stakeholders.
Although there have been unexpected challenges in recent months, we continue to make planning and implementation of ARPA and CRRSA funding a top priority. We will continue to engage with you as our planning and efforts progress. We appreciate all you do for Alaska’s children and families as we rebuild.
Thank you,
Child Care Program Office
Phone (907) 269-4500
Fax (907) 269-4536