OPINION: New fund will benefit children, families, employers and the Anchorage economy

Children work on crafts and writing at the Sitka Child Development Center on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.

Its passage came not a moment too soon. Since 2019, the number of licensed child care programs in Alaska has dropped by 20%, and for the first time in 20 years there are fewer than 200 licensed programs in Anchorage. As families, employers, and businesses know too well, the lack of affordable care options is negatively impacting families, our workforce, and our economy.

The ACCEE Fund Implementation Team — a team of experts, elected officials, providers, business and military representatives, parents and others — has been exploring the most strategic and effective uses for the funding. Beyond evaluating national trends, particularly effective Alaskan programs, and opportunities to leverage the limited funding available, the Implementation Team has been actively seeking feedback from the public on how the funds should be spent.

The Implementation Team has explored a number of initial ideas for funding, including wage and benefit subsidies; providing free child care for providers’ children to support the existing workforce and recruit additional, desperately needed caregivers; partnering with businesses and other employers to provide start-up costs and technical assistance for new child care and early education programs; funding capital investments; and several other concepts, many of which have been successful in...

Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

OPINION: Anchorage needs new leadership, but Chris Tuck is unqualified to be mayorWhether our next mayor is a Democrat, a Republican or nonpartisan, we can do so much better than Tuck, and I hope we do.
Source: adndotcom - 🏆 293. / 63 Read more »

Are Pro-Palestinian Protests at American Universities Going Too Far?See multiple perspectives from National Review (Opinion), New York Times (Opinion), and Newsweek at AllSides.com.
Source: AllSidesNow - 🏆 572. / 51 Read more »

Compassion or Hatred? What's Motivating Protesters on College Campuses?See multiple perspectives from New York Post (Opinion), CNN (Opinion), and The Hill at AllSides.com.
Source: AllSidesNow - 🏆 572. / 51 Read more »

OPINION: It’s hard to get excited about Anchorage’s choice for mayorMaybe we should establish the Office of the Municipal Therapist — but these folks would just fight over that, too.
Source: adndotcom - 🏆 293. / 63 Read more »

OPINION: Anchorage Assembly’s strategic plan on housing is for everyoneHousing — calling someplace home — is the foundation of a thriving community.
Source: adndotcom - 🏆 293. / 63 Read more »

OPINION: Anchorage’s homelessness crisis: a call for Assembly actionNot only is the inaction by the Assembly puzzling, but it’s also dangerous.
Source: adndotcom - 🏆 293. / 63 Read more »