Economic Development

Child care is essential infrastructure for Southeast Alaska’s economy. SEAAEYC strengthens economic development by helping families stay in the workforce, supporting small businesses, and growing the early childhood education sector. Through workforce training, start-up grants, and policy partnerships, we create lasting solutions that fuel economic growth across the region.

CBJ Efforts

Juneau is home to over 1600 children under the age of five. 60% of them need some form of childcare. There is a historic shortage of care available, only enough spots for 1 in 3 children.

Southeast Childhood Collective approached the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly with a solution to stabilize the childcare workforce and capacity. In 2012 the HEARTS program was born.

  • 2012: Hiring, Educating, and Retaining Teaching Staff (HEARTS), utilizes CBJ funding to increase childcare worker wages according to education levels.
  • 2018: The CBJ Assembly Childcare Committee is created.
  • 2020: COVID dollars were the first investment in operating grants for Juneau’s childcare sector. It kept childcare programs open during the pandemic while most communities statewide lost up to 40% of their programs.
  • 2023: Sales tax dollars help keep the sector strong. Juneau realized that additional local funding was needed. Sales tax dollars, $500k/yr, were allocated to keep the operating grants going.
  • 2023-2025: An Innovation Grant through the State of Alaska funded the first Childcare Apprenticeship Program in the state and provided a match to operation grants. The program’s dual goal is to increase childcare capacity while also increasing the number of qualified workers.

A big thank you to the CBJ Assembly for its continued support for early care and education.

Regional Efforts

A strong childcare system is essential for economic growth. When families have access to affordable, high-quality care, parents can participate in the workforce, increasing household income and reducing employee absenteeism and turnover. High-quality early childhood education also supports the development of a skilled future workforce. Communities that invest in childcare meet immediate family needs while building long-term economic stability.

Advocacy

SEAAEYC leads advocacy efforts to expand successful child care funding models—like Juneau’s start-up and monthly operating stipends—to other Southeast communities. We work with local leaders, providers, and families to build support for public investment in child care as a vital part of strong, sustainable communities.