State of Alaska | Child Care

Programs

Get Help...

...finding a job
...with Child Care
...with Child Support
...with heating bills
...with Food Assistance
...for elderly or disabled
...with cash assistance for families
...with medical
...with the WIC program

Child Care Program Office

Information for Parents: Child Care Resource and Referral Services

The Department of Health and Social Services provides funding to Resource and Referral (R&R) agencies to assist programs in providing high quality care and education for young children. Services offered included referrals, professional development, training, resources, and support, and lending libraries. Most services are provided free of charge to licensed and approved child care programs. For more information Alaska’s Child Care Resource and Referral agency, thread, visit www.threadalaska.org .

Southcentral Alaska

Anchorage - Lead Office

3350 Commercial Dr, Suite 203
Anchorage, AK 99501
9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday
Phone 907.265.3100 Toll Free 800.278.3723
Fax 907.265.3191 Toll Free Fax 877.563.1959
info@threadalaska.org

Wasilla

Westside Center, DPA Bldg, 877 W. Commercial Dr
Wasilla, AK 99654
9:00am-5:00pm, Monday - Friday
Phone 907.373.5024
Fax 907.373.5067

Southeast Alaska

Juneau

3100 Channel Drive, Suite 215
Juneau, Alaska 99801
8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday
Phone 907.789.1235 Toll Free 888.785.1235
Fax 907.789.1238
info@aeyc-sea.org

Interior/Northern Alaska

Fairbanks

1908 Old Pioneer Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709
8:00am - 5pm, Monday - Friday
Phone 907.479.2214 Toll Free 866.878.2273
Fax 907.479-2486
thread@thrivalaska.com

Child Care Referrals

Child Care Resource and Referral (R&R) agencies in Alaska maintain a database of licensed and approved programs, including information about their hours of operation, current openings, and activities offered.

The R&R also provides materials to assist families in selecting quality child care, helping children transition to a new program, and maintaining positive relationships with child care programs, as well as information about community resources and financial assistance for families with young children.

Inclusive Care for Children with Special Needs

Some children need additional assistance in order to be included in child care. The “Alaska In!” program administered through the Resource and Referral (R&R) agencies offers extra support for families to find a program to meet their child’s needs.
The Alaska In! program discusses the accommodations needed for inclusion in the child care program with the parent, and offers additional training and support to programs to help them meet the child’s individual needs. If the family qualifies for child care assistance, they may be eligible for additional funding to provide accommodations needed in order to maintain a stable consistent program that can meet the individual needs of the child.

For more information, contact the Resource and Referral agency in your region from the list above.

Information on Selecting Quality Child Care

Choosing child care is a very important decision for working families with young children. Child Care Resource and Referral agencies help provide guidance, information, and educational materials to help parents know what to look for, what questions to ask, and what their child care options are. Child care referrals can be provided over the phone, by mail, or via the internet. For more information on choosing quality care, contact the Resource and Referral agency in your region from the list above.

Child Care Food and Nutrition

The Child Care Food Program is a federal program of the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program reimburses licensed and approved child care providers for a portion of their food costs. The primary goal of the program is to improve the diet of children ages 12 year and younger.

Food is an important part of every child’s emotional, physical, and social development. Eating habits established during preschool years affect health throughout life. Nutrition is an important part of a good child care program. Children need well-balanced meals in order to meet their daily energy needs and to help build strong bodies and minds.

The Child Care Food Program is designed to show child care providers how to help children develop good eating habits and attitudes towards foods.

The program is monitored in Alaska by the Department of Education and Early Development, and administered by non-profit sponsoring organizations. For more information or to find your local Child Care Food Program sponsor, call 465-8711, or check the website at http://www.eed.state.ak.us

State Child Care Development Plan and Child Care Reports

<<<Back to Child Care Home