Alaska Foster Parents Fight a Funding Cut

The state’s plan to end extra child‑care payments for foster families on Jan. 1, 2026 has sparked a fierce response from those who care for children in crisis. When the pandemic hit, Alaska covered every dollar of foster child‑care costs. Now it will pay only a small state rate that falls far below the true price of care, forcing families to cover most of the bill. Many can’t afford this jump in expenses. Child‑care support is not a bonus; it’s the foundation that lets foster homes stay open, keep parents employed and accept new placements. Removing this aid threatens the very survival of foster care throughout the state. The cost of living in Alaska is high and affordable childcare is scarce. The full subsidy was a recognition of these realities. Cutting it leaves families with an impossible choice: take on huge new costs or stop fostering altogether. Alaska already faces a severe shortage of licensed foster homes. Children sometimes stay in state offices not because parents lack compassion, but because there simply aren’t enough families to take them. When foster parents can no longer afford care, they drop placements or close their licenses, shrinking the pool of available homes.For children, steady, quality childcare is crucial. Many arrive with emotional and developmental needs that require routine and nurturing. Without affordable care, these children lose a key stabilizing element in their lives. The impact of this funding cut will be felt by current foster children and those who will enter the system soon. Each family that leaves reduces placement options and raises the chance that children will remain in offices rather than homes. Supporting foster families reflects Alaska’s values. When parents receive help, children stay in homes, routines continue, and communities grow stronger. Removing support leads to immediate, lasting harm. State leaders are urged to reconsider and adopt a funding model that matches the real cost of caring for foster children. The voices of those directly affected insist that ongoing child‑care support is essential to keep families licensed, children placed and the system functioning. This isn’t a theoretical debate; it determines whether a child sleeps in a home or waits in an office. Foster families ask for your support and for the well‑being of every child who depends on them.