Each year on or around May 1, communities across the country recognize Worthy Wage Day, a national day of action that calls attention to the critical role early childhood educators play and the ongoing challenge of low wages in the field.
Since 1992, Worthy Wage Day has highlighted a persistent reality: early childhood educators\u2014those who care for, teach, and support our youngest children\u2014are among the lowest-paid professionals in the workforce. At the same time, research continues to show that the most important factor in high-quality early care and education is the consistency and quality of the educator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These two truths cannot coexist if we want strong outcomes for children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alaska\u2019s early childhood educators are essential to the well-being of children, families, and communities. They create safe, nurturing environments where children learn, build relationships, and develop the skills they need for lifelong success. But today, Alaska\u2019s child care system is under strain. Child care programs are working hard to stay open. Families are still struggling to find and afford child care. Early educators are leaving the field due to low wages and limited long-term career stability. When educators leave, children lose trusted relationships, programs face disruption, and families lose reliable care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worthy Wage Day is a moment to recognize this reality and to act on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worthy Wage Day raises awareness of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also calls on communities, partners, and policymakers to work together on solutions that strengthen the workforce and support long-term stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alaska has made important progress in strengthening child care, but continued investment is critical to maintain that momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One key strategy is the ROOTS Award (Retaining Our Outstanding Teachers). The ROOTS Award is a recruitment and retention stipend that helps child care programs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sustained annual funding for the ROOTS Award helps ensure that progress does not move backward and that early educators can continue to build careers in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alaskans across the state are coming together to support a shared letter urging the Alaska Legislature to make the ROOTS Award a stable, annual investment. We have made a ton of progress, with support from hundreds of Alaskans, but we still need your help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By signing on, you can show that strengthening the early childhood workforce is a major statewide priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n