Opinion: Making lasting change for Anchorage families

It’s a new year, but Anchorage’s families are still struggling with the same child care challenges: too few child care spots for the number of children who need them, monthly costs that make working outside the home difficult — or even impossible — and a shrinking child care workforce due to inadequate pay and benefits.

Fortunately, the new year also brings hope in the form of concrete solutions through the ACCEE Fund — the Municipality of Anchorage’s Child Care and Early Education Fund. Thanks to voters in Anchorage, we now have dedicated funding to solve some of our biggest early education challenges. After evaluating what’s worked in other places and learning from local and national experts, and with the support of the Anchorage mayor and Assembly, the ACCEE Fund is on track to make a real difference for Anchorage families.

This year, the ACCEE Fund will fund three new child care and early education programs in Anchorage. The first is a transformational program that began in Kentucky in 2022. There, the state government pays the cost of child care for the children of employees working in the early childhood education sector. Prior to implementing this program, state workers had noticed that child care workers were leaving their jobs; the low pay they earned made it impossible for them to pay for care for their own children they needed in order to continue working. This reduction in the workforce harmed child care employers, who were now left without these experienced workers, and Kentucky families, as workers took with them the ability to provide care for other families’ kids. On top of that, other employers were harmed, since their employees could not count on reliable child care. Since its implementation in 2022, this program has been incredibly successful. Other jurisdictions are now building similar programs, and we’re seeing a stabilization of the workforce and more spots available for kids in these communities. Anchorage will be the next location to benefit from this innovative idea.

The second program will provide funding to early childhood education entities for operational expenses so that we see fewer of these experienced, essential businesses close their doors. Both of these programs will begin this spring, and you’ll likely see an application for funds available at that time. We hope funds will be out in the community by summer.

The third program will provide funding for pilot projects, focusing on solutions that drive innovation and inspire confidence and additional investment in the sector (we know what the ACCEE Fund provides is nowhere near enough!), ultimately leading to a more sustainable sector. We hope to have a process for applicants to pursue this funding within the next few months.

Finally, while our contractor has been instrumental in building and supporting the ACCEE Fund since its inception, it is time for us to hire a full-time executive director. The director will lead the ACCEE Fund into the future, leveraging existing funding to create even more impact in the community. We expect to be able to share this position description in the coming month or two. Please spread the word and watch our website for updates.

With vision, investment and strategic action, Alaskans can turn challenges into solutions. We’re working to do just that, because our kids are worth it.

Jessica Simonsen is vice chair of the ACCEE Fund board. Mildred Parker and Jessie Nesset are board members.

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