Kodiak volunteers outline plan to expand child care and after-school programs

Erica Blondin, a founder of the Kodiak Collaborative, told the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly at its June 26 work session that a volunteer group of parents and local organizations is working to address a local child care shortage across three age ranges: infant–pre-K, K–5 after-school care and sixth–twelfth grade programming.

The group presented survey results and a “three-pronged” approach aimed at increasing licensed in‑home providers, enabling a YMCA-run K–5 after‑school program and expanding supports for teens. Blondin said the Collaborative wants borough assistance in areas such as facility use and in exploring incentives for in‑home providers.

The Collaborative described its origins as informal conversations at local events that grew into a community partnership. “We’re a grassroots movement of volunteers and local entities trying child care crisis in Kodiak,” Blondin said in her presentation. She and partner Yalta Daly said the group has met repeatedly with local stakeholders, including borough staff and the YMCA.

The presenters said the Collaborative distributed a community survey and received “a little over 230 responses” from households with children. Presenters reported that a sizeable share of respondents seeking infant‑to‑5 care had not secured a slot and that wait lists are lengthy at some providers. They said the survey also found strong interest in after‑school programming: “96 percent of the respondents would utilize an after school program if it was available,” a presenter reported. Presenters said the most requested program content included life skills, art and STEM; parents also listed availability and cost as primary barriers.

Assembly members asked for more data on costs and program sustainability. Assemblyman Bridal confirmed the 230‑response sample and asked whether separate surveys had produced other findings. Amy Williams, Kodiak Island Borough manager, and presenters clarified that the Kodiak Economic Development Corporation conducted a separate survey showing many high‑school students want to stay in Kodiak, and that the Collaborative is coordinating results to avoid duplicative surveying.

Cost and affordability were a recurring question. Presenters said the YMCA plans to use an income‑based sliding scale and to charge the state’s school‑age child care assistance rate as a maximum; presenters also said scholarships and other subsidy sources would be available so children would not be turned away.

Assembly members discussed supply versus cost drivers. Several members, including Assemblyman Ryan and Assemblyman Larry, pressed presenters on whether the immediate shortage is chiefly space and licensing constraints (especially for infants under age 2, which have tighter staff‑to‑child ratios) or a function of wages and family wages. Presenters said both factors are important: infant‑to‑2 care is harder to add because licensing and ratio rules restrict capacity, while older age brackets may scale faster with after‑school programs and teen‑center improvements.

Presenters described local steps they are pursuing: coordinating licensing support with workforce development (CANNa/CANNA was referenced as a local workforce/tribal resource in the presentation), hosting information nights to recruit new in‑home providers, and convening an informational symposium linking prospective providers with licensing, grant and training resources. The group also suggested looking at innovative funding models used elsewhere — presenters noted Anchorage voters approved a child care trust funded by a local tax and suggested the idea as one example for local leaders to consider.

No formal action or vote was recorded at the work session. Presenters asked only for feedback and for the assembly to keep child care needs in mind when discussing facility uses and community supports.

Why this matters: Assembly members said expanding reliable child care is tied to workforce participation and long‑term community retention, especially for working parents and women professionals. Several members said improving child care capacity could make local hiring easier for a range of employers.

Looking ahead: The Collaborative said it will continue coordinating with the YMCA, Kodiak Island Housing Authority, workforce development partners and existing in‑home providers. The borough assembly and staff asked for more detailed cost data and follow‑up materials in the next packet or a future work session.