Alaska has taken a significant step to bolster its support for working families with the establishment of the Governor’s Task Force on Child Care. Officially designated through Administrative Order 346, this initiative, operating within the Alaska Early Childhood Coordinating Council (AECCC), is set to address the pressing needs of child care across the state. Recognizing that a thriving child care system is fundamental for the healthy development of young Alaskans and the economic vitality of the state, the Task Force is geared towards creating actionable policies and recommendations.
The necessity for such a task force is underscored by current statistics. In Alaska, over half of young children come from households where all parents are employed, highlighting the critical role of child care in enabling workforce participation. However, a significant challenge exists: sixty-one percent of Alaskan communities are classified as child care deserts. These are areas where the availability of licensed child care facilities drastically falls short of the demand. Compounding this issue, Alaska has experienced a nearly 10 percent decrease in licensed child care providers since January 2020. With federal pandemic relief funds dwindling, further closures are anticipated, threatening to exacerbate the existing scarcity.
This Task Force is a key component of the Governor’s Healthy Families Initiative, specifically falling under its Healthy Beginnings pillar. This broader initiative acknowledges that strong families are the bedrock of a healthy society and a robust economy. By focusing on child care, the Task Force aims to develop policies that not only support families but also reinforce Alaska’s position as a desirable place to raise children.
The core mission of the Task Force is to formulate a comprehensive plan that enhances both the availability and affordability of high-quality child care throughout Alaska. This plan will be built upon a foundation of existing research, strategic plans, and needs assessments related to child care. The ultimate goal is to deliver specific policy recommendations to the Governor, aimed at expanding access to inclusive child care for all Alaskan families.
Central to the Task Force’s approach is the understanding that an effective child care system rests on three pillars: affordability, accessibility, and quality. Crucially, these aspects are intrinsically linked to the well-being and compensation of the child care workforce. Therefore, a key element of the Task Force’s strategy involves gathering input from a diverse range of stakeholders. This includes employers, nonprofit organizations, child care providers, tribal entities, and elected officials. This broad consultation is essential to ensure that the Task Force’s recommendations are comprehensive and effectively address the multifaceted challenges of child care across Alaska.
To ensure a balanced and informed perspective, the Task Force’s membership is structured to include a variety of voices. All voting members are appointed by the Governor and serve at the Governor’s discretion. The Task Force is composed of eleven voting members, alongside two ex-officio members and one advisory member.
The voting members include three State of Alaska officials representing key departments: the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Early Development, and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. These positions are held by the Commissioners or their designees, ensuring high-level state involvement.
The remaining eight voting members represent a broad spectrum of community stakeholders. These include representatives from nonprofits supporting licensed child care, licensed child care programs themselves, faith-based and community-based child care programs (including in-home options), tribal child care programs, military child care programs, and statewide business organizations. Additionally, the Task Force includes a local government official experienced in community-based child care solutions and a member of the general public who is a parent with firsthand experience navigating Alaska’s child care system.
Ex-Officio members include a member from the Alaska State Senate, appointed by the Senate President, and a member from the Alaska House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House. These legislative members will provide crucial insights into policy implementation and legislative considerations. Furthermore, a representative from the Alaska Child Care Program Office will serve as an advisor, offering expert guidance and operational knowledge.
The Task Force is mandated to produce significant deliverables within a defined timeframe. An initial report is due to the Governor by December 31, 2023, followed by a final report by July 31, 2024. These reports are expected to include:
- Evidence-based policy solutions to address workforce challenges, focusing on recruitment, retention, compensation, and benefits for child care professionals.
- Identification of child care regulations that may unnecessarily hinder the expansion of licensed child care slots, while maintaining quality and safety standards.
- Development of strategies to incentivize employer-sponsored child care initiatives, including facilities and benefits.
- Exploration of opportunities to cultivate public-private partnerships to tackle child care workforce and affordability issues.
- Creation of a framework for a pilot program to establish on-site child care facilities within a State of Alaska office, serving as a model for employer-provided child care benefits.
- Identification of other innovative solutions to deliver affordable, high-quality child care to Alaskan families.
The Chair of the Task Force is responsible for providing regular updates to the Office of the Governor on the Task Force’s progress and any emerging issues. Administrative support for the Task Force is provided by the Department of Health.
Task Force members serve without compensation from the state, though non-state or federal employees are eligible for per diem and travel expense reimbursement, aligning with state board and commission guidelines. The Task Force is authorized to form advisory subcommittees and will conduct monthly meetings, with the possibility of additional meetings as needed. To maximize public engagement and minimize costs, the Task Force will utilize teleconferencing and other electronic communication methods whenever feasible. Public meetings will also be convened at various times and locations to gather public input and share information.
Ensuring transparency and adherence to state regulations, the Task Force operates under the Alaska Open Meetings Act and the Alaska Public Records Act. This ensures that all meetings are conducted openly and that records are accessible to the public.
The Governor’s Task Force on Child Care is a time-limited initiative, set to sunset on December 31, 2024. This focused timeframe underscores the urgency and commitment to addressing Alaska’s child care needs effectively and efficiently, paving the way for a stronger future for Alaskan families through an enhanced and inclusive child care program.
