Top 10 Takeways from Child Care Cost Share Feasibility Study
United Way of Anchorage secured a grant from the Municipality of Anchorage thanks to its Anchorage Child Care and Early Education Fund, to conduct a feasibility study for an employer cost share program for child care. We led this project to determine if this strategy would be effective for the Anchorage community. Now, in partnership with Denali Daniels + Associates and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, we’re excited to share the top ten takeaways from our study.
1) First Study Conducted in United States.
Our feasibility study is the first in the U.S. to examine how an employer cost share program for child care could work in a community, prior to passage and implementation.
2) Split Costs Make Child Care More Affordable.
Employer cost-sharing makes child care more affordable by dividing costs among the public sector, workplaces, and families. (Some places call it “tri-share.”)
3) This Program Requires Collaboration.
For a cost share solution to succeed, it must rely on strong partnerships, dependable administrative support, and clear pathways for employers to participate.
4) Child Care Cost Share Improves the Local Economy.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation estimates that Alaska loses $165 million annually due to child care limitations, and Anchorage bears much of the burden.
5) Anchorage Workplaces Have Been Facing Challenges.
Of Anchorage employers surveyed, 75% are concerned about recruitment and retention related to child care issues and 82% report negative impacts from employee inability to find and maintain care.
6) Support from United Way Would Create Engagement.
Anchorage employers are interested in child care cost-sharing and need sustained, relationship-based outreach from organizations, like United Way, to coordinate implementation.
7) Workplace Cohorts Reduce Employees’ Child Care Costs.
A small, long-term cohort of workplaces in Anchorage with an employer cost share program could help reduce child care costs and support a more stable workforce in our community.
8) Child Care Assistance Program Can Offer Immediate Relief.
Promoting the Child Care Assistance Program, which is underutilized in Alaska, could improve child care affordability in Anchorage by maximizing federal and state resources.
9) More Work Must Be Done to Improve Child Care Options.
With United Way leading, the public sector and workplaces must continue to address systemic issues in Anchorage that impact the availability and affordability of child care.
10) United Way Needs Your Support to Help Families.
We need your support to make an employer cost share program for child care in Anchorage a reality. Implementing it will give our community and Alaskans more opportunities to thrive.