Alaska takes public input Wednesday on child care facility operating rules

Providers and families get a chance Wednesday to tell the state what is working, and what is not, in the rules governing daily operation of licensed Alaska child care facilities.

The Alaska Child Care Program Office holds Session 7 of its 2026 Community Engagement Series from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, online via Microsoft Teams. The session covers licensed child care facility programmatic requirements under 7 AAC 57, the regulations that govern day-to-day administration. Join at https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23912464563112?p=HmvCkEyDI0RGj7tk6K.

"These sessions are an opportunity for providers, families, advocates, and community partners to share feedback, experiences, ideas, and suggestions related to Child Care Licensing, Child Care Assistance, Alaska Inclusive Child Care (Alaska IN!), and Child Care Grant Program regulations," the office said in its notice. Input will inform ongoing program changes and future regulatory development.

The series follows the state's Feb. 5 announcement that it added $5.9 million to the fiscal year 2026 budget for licensed providers, raised base grant rates and removed per-child caps starting in November 2025.

A session on the Child Care Grant Program under 7 AAC 39 is set for Sept. 23, noon to 2 p.m., covering applications, eligibility, billing, reporting and attendance documentation. Questions go to [email protected].