Kotzebue has not had a state-licensed child care center since 2011. It's considered a 'child care desert,' like much of the state, and that's having a big impact on families.
Bailey Schaeffer watches Marley, the son of a Kotzebue resident who is struggling to find child care.
“There’s a lot of barriers related to cost: to start up, to infrastructure, workforce training to be able to pay enough to be able to attract workers,” said Laura Norton-Cruz. “These issues are affecting urban Alaska but even more so in rural communities.” Norton-Cruz said within the last year communities from Utqiaġvik to Cordova have lost child care centers, and providers have struggled to open new facilities. State licensure ensures child care providers have high standards of quality and care. It’s also important for low-income families who receive child care assistance. For those families, a state-licensed facility is their only option to avoid paying out of pocket.
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