Learn the Issues & Take Action
The child care system is crucial to maintaining healthy families and a healthy economy. thread makes it possible for you to learn about the issues and advocate directly to policymakers on behalf of children. Your voice matters!
National
- Current Legislation
- Appropriations Process: Although Congress failed to include child care funding in the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress is working on the annual process to fund government programs, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). Through this appropriations process Congress could increase the funding for the CCDBG providing much needed support for states, including Alaska, in order to increase access to high-quality child care within communities. Ask Members of Congress to increase funding above the proposed level of $7.165 billion to help states more effectively address the child care crisis.
- Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Funding: Learn about the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) law that authorizes the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program administered by states and tribes, and supports families in accessing child care.
- Federal Support During the Pandemic
- Child Care in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 (Passed March 2021): This legislation provides funding for the (1) Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to support child care and families, and (2) Child Care Stabilization Funding to stabilize child care through the remainder of the pandemic.
- Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) (Passed December 2020): Provided $10 billion through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to stabilize child care and support families.
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) (Passed April 2020): Provided $3.5 billion in additional funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to provide child care assistance to frontline workers and stabilize child care.
State
Legislature Wrap Up June 2022
- State Budget Signed June 28
- Capital Budget: $1 million dedicated in the capital budget to support child care quality.
- thread Endorsed Bills
- HB149 – Child Care Provider Collective Bargaining and Child Care Trust Fund
- April 26: Passed by the Alaska House of Representatives
- Referred to the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee with a secondary referral to Senate Finance
- Failed to get a hearing in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee before the legislative session ended on May 18, 2022
- For more information about this proposed bill, watch Thursdays with thread: Conversation with Zack Fields, HB149 Part 2 here
- HB149 – Child Care Provider Collective Bargaining and Child Care Trust Fund
- Early Childhood Proposed Bills
- Proposed legislation related to Pre-K
- HB114 – Alaska Reads Act – This legislation creates four new programs: a department-level reading program, a district-level reading intervention program, a voluntary pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) and Parents as Teachers program, and a virtual education consortium.
- September: The State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) is preparing for the implementation of the law, most of which takes effect on July 1, 2023. While work is being done to implement all four parts of the legislation, thread is focusing on the early education components and is advocating for the regulations governing publicly-funded pre-kindergarten component allow for the inclusion of high-quality, licensed child care providers (a mixed delivery system). Read an update here.
- July: Signed into law by the Governor.
- May 18: Alaska House of Representatives concurred with the Alaska Senate amended version. The Alaska Reads Act includes universal, voluntary Pre-K, a reading intervention program, and an increase to the base student allocation (BSA).
- HB114 – Alaska Reads Act – This legislation creates four new programs: a department-level reading program, a district-level reading intervention program, a voluntary pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) and Parents as Teachers program, and a virtual education consortium.
- Proposed legislation impacting child care workforce
- SB10 – Free, Reduced Tuition for Essential Workers (including child care workers)
- Passed the Alaska State Senate on May 18, 2021.
- Referred to the House Education and House Finance Committees.
- Passed House Education on February 28, 2022. House Finance did not take action on the bill before the legislative session ended on May 18, 2022.
- SB10 – Free, Reduced Tuition for Essential Workers (including child care workers)
- Proposed legislation related to employers & child care
- HB121 – Education Tax Credit, Employer Child Care Cost
- Referred to House Labor and Commerce with a secondary referral to House Finance.
- Passed the House Labor and Commerce Committee on March 25, 2021.
- Failed to get a hearing in House Finance before the legislative session ended on May 18, 2022.
- HB121 – Education Tax Credit, Employer Child Care Cost
- Proposed legislation related to Pre-K
2022 Legislative Calendar
- Jan 18: Regular session begins
- Feb 16: Governor’s amended budget introduced
- Feb 22: Joint Session: Senator Murkowski’s annual address
- Apr 17: Statutory end of session
- May 18: End of session
- Aug 16: Primary election
- Nov 8: General election
Local Government
- Anchorage
- Fairbanks
- Juneau
- Kenai/Soldotna