The following broadcast was released by the Alaska Child Care Program Office on Aug. 2, 2021
The Child Care Program Office (CCPO) is updating stakeholders on the status of the Market Price Survey Report that is expected for release within the coming month. We appreciate all the interest and contributions and look forward to sharing information about the report through public meetings in September.
As you may know federal law requires state child care programs to conduct a market price survey and narrow cost analysis to inform stakeholders about the actual cost of child care. CCPO uses data from the survey to set rates paid to child care providers for families participating in the Child Care Assistance Program, which ensures participants with equal access to licensed child care.
CCPO partnered with the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at the University of Alaska Anchorage to conduct two market price surveys. Ordinarily Alaska conducts one survey every three years, but was authorized to conduct two surveys this cycle to offset potential price impacts/anomalies from the coronavirus pandemic. ISER conducted the first survey in November 2020 and the second in March 2021.
During this process, ISER:
- administered the survey;
- conducted follow-up calls to child care providers who did not complete or partially completed the surveys increasing participation rates;
- reviewed data collected;
- analyzed and compiled data and information for the Market Price Survey Report; and
- is in the process of finalizing the report and constructing the revised Child Care Assistance Program Rate Schedule.
CCPO and ISER will be conducting informational public meetings regarding the report and proposed rate schedule this September. Notice of dates and times will occur in a separate broadcast.
The report and proposed rate schedule must go through the regulation process for adoption into law. Consequently, the revised Child Care Assistance Program Rate Schedule may go into effect in 2022 if it is approved and adopted by law.
CCPO thanks providers and stakeholders for their continued interest and commitment and welcomes further communication in this process. We look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months.
Contact:
Child Care Program Office
3601 C St. Suite 140
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 269-4500
(907) 269-4536
Email: dpaccp@alaska.gov