Anchorage, Alaska – More than $800,000 is on its way to seventy licensed child care providers in the first disbursement of economic relief funds from the Municipality of Anchorage's COVID-19 Child Care Provider Assistance Program. The funds, drawn from $10 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds allocated by the Anchorage Assembly, are available for licensed child care providers to:
- reduce fees and tuition for families in need;
- pay staff for COVID-19 safety measures; and
- pay rent and utilities to keep facilities open.
“Child care is essential as we respond to COVID-19," said Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. “Providers are a backbone for the economy, and this program will help them keep their doors open and reduce costs for working families."
As of August 12, 150 of 238 licensed child care sites have completed or started the application process. The next funding distribution includes recurring monthly payments, which begin next week and will continue through December.
“Ensuring stable and safe child care is critical for families and our community's well-being as we navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Nicole Lebo, Anchorage Health Department (AHD) Human Services Division Manager. “Our local child care providers have adapted quickly to stay open and operate as safely as possible."
The AHD Child Care Licensing (CCL) program partnered with the United Way of Anchorage to process and distribute the funds. The application process opened on Friday, July 31, and remains open in an on-going basis through December. In order to apply, providers must be licensed, open, and have children enrolled. The amount of funding is based on a formula of enrollment numbers and registration fees. Providers interested in the program may email ChildCareFunds@ak.org to apply.
Of the 238 total licensed sites within the MOA, 180 or 75% are open. Fifty-eight or 25% of licensed facilities are currently closed. Of the 58 closed, 89% were planned closures, 10% closed due to COVID-19 and <1% closed for other reasons.
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The AHD Child Care Licensing Program monitors licensed child care centers and homes within the Municipality of Anchorage. The goal of CCL is to help reduce predictable risk of harm to children. An up-to-date map of licensed child care centers and homes can be found online.
Media contacts:
Mayor's Office: Chelsea Ward-Waller, Special Assistant to the Mayor, (907) 343-8290, chelsea.ww@anchorageak.gov
AHD: Barry Piser, Public Information Officer, (907) 343-4622, barry.piser@anchorageak.gov
United Way: Jason Grenn, (907) 301-3046, jgrenn@ak.org