Assembly hears request for $500 advertising to recruit daycare providers; mayor offers discretionary funds if needed

At a public hearing on Oct. 28 the Assembly discussed a budget amendment request to set aside $500 for advertising to recruit home-based daycare providers and to publicize volunteer assistance for paperwork from THREAD, the statewide childcare assistance program.

The mayor described the spending as modest and proposed using mayoral discretionary funds if the Assembly chose not to set aside the money immediately. Manager and committee members explained the town once had a state-funded childcare-assistance position that helped potential providers with paperwork; that position now operates from THREAD in Anchorage/Fairbanks and local capacity is limited. Assembly and public commenters said a local volunteer group could help, but outreach and assistance would be required to move new providers through licensing.

Public commenters reported contact attempts with THREAD; Sherry Loomis said THREAD had not yet returned calls but the plan is to press for a THREAD representative to hold local training for prospective providers. Kim Larson and other residents said local paperwork assistance and on-the-ground coaching historically supported providers and that rebuilding that capacity is essential.

Outcome: No appropriation was made at this meeting; the mayor said he would use his discretionary funds if the Assembly did not allocate the amount before the next public hearing.