{"id":6456,"date":"2026-01-30T10:39:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T19:39:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/learn-and-grow\/blog\/ccpo-broadcast-announcing-new-child-care-grant-ccg-pilot-program"},"modified":"2026-02-16T14:26:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T23:26:10","slug":"ccpo-broadcast-announcing-new-child-care-grant-ccg-pilot-program","status":"publish","type":"learn-and-grow-blog","link":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/learn-and-grow\/blog\/ccpo-broadcast-announcing-new-child-care-grant-ccg-pilot-program","title":{"rendered":"CCPO Broadcast: Announcing New Child Care Grant (CCG) Pilot Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Increase to Monthly CCG Reimbursement Payments for the Service Months of January 2026 through June 2026 for Infants and Toddlers<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
New CCG and Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Billing forms<\/strong> Effective February 1, 2026 Beginning with the Service Month of January 2026<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

This broadcast was release by the Alaska Division of Public Assistance, Child\u00a0Care\u00a0Program\u00a0Office on January 29, 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Child Care Grant Program Redesign<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In FY2026, the state added $5.9 million to the annual base budget to support licensed home-based and center-based child care providers. This funding allows for developing sustainable, ongoing support for child care providers using the well-established Child Care Grant (CCG) program. The Child Care Program Office (CCPO) is implementing recommendations outlined in the Governor\u2019s Task Force on Child Care and redesigning the CCG program to support child care providers statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase 1:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CCPO revised the CCG Program Rate Schedule by removing the per-child cap and increasing the base rate and reimbursement amount, effective November 2025. These changes strengthen sustainability and maintain flexibility, ensuring providers can rely on consistent monthly grant funding to support the needs of their individual businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase 2:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The State of Alaska recognizes that there is a need for more infant and toddler care for families statewide.  Additionally, the cost of caring for infants and toddlers is higher than other age categories and the State of Alaska is working on strategies to help child care providers to increase infant and toddler enrollment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginning with the service month of January 2026, participating child care providers will receive their normal CCG reimbursement payment and a separate supplemental payment based on the total number of infants and toddlers in care. Supplemental payment amounts may be different each month, with a maximum of $250 per infant and $200 per toddler, based on available funding.  The CCPO is unable to confirm in advance what the monthly supplemental payment amount will be. When payments are processed, child care providers can confirm payment amounts through the IRIS Vendor Self Service Portal at https:\/\/iris-vss.alaska.gov\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This pilot program will continue through June 2026, or until funding is exhausted. The CCPO will administer a survey to assess outcomes from the pilot. This will help inform future CCPO decision\u2011making and may create opportunities to continue or refine the program. The CCPO will evaluate progress and notify the public of any updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the CCG Program: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CCG Program promotes quality child care by helping licensed child care providers participating in the State of Alaska Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), with operational costs associated with their facilities. The CCG Program promotes quality child care by supporting and encouraging professional development, the retention of early childhood care and education professionals, and safe and healthy environments for children in care.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provider Participation: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are already approved and participating in the CCG Program, no reapplication is required<\/u>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a licensed child care provider not yet participating<\/em><\/strong> in CCG<\/strong>, you must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n