2025-26 quality initiatives

thread‘s Quality Initiative (QI) program offers early childhood education programs and early educators professional development around a specific early care and learning topic. All QIs involve developing goals that support continuous quality improvement, participation in educational opportunities, technical assistance, and financial assistance.

What Quality Initiatives is thread offering this year?

thread is excited to offer the following QIs:

  • For new child care businesses: New Provider
  • For licensed child care programs: Go NAPSACC; Infant/Toddler; Accreditation

Find more detailed information in the QI summaries below.

Am I eligible to receive a Quality Initiative?

If you are an early childhood education new/existing owner or program administrator who is current/active in the Alaska SEED Registry, you may be eligible to apply. Find more detailed information in the individual QI summaries below under eligibility requirements.

Is thread accepting Quality Initiative applications now?

Yes! Review the application deadlines in the at-a-glance QI table below in addition to the detailed summary for each initiative.

Our staff will have the following open office hours dedicated to supporting you with the Quality Initiative process. Outside of these hours, feel free to contact us by phone or email, and we will respond as soon as possible to assist with the application process or provide clarification on any initiatives.

  • Open Office Hours For Accreditation & Infant/Toddler
    Pam Walker, PDS
    907.265.3186 | pwalker@threadalaska.org
    Tuesday, Dec. 10, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
    Friday, Dec. 13, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
    Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
  • Open Office Hours For New Provider
    Chelsie Venechuk, PDS
    907.265.3136 | ckochanowski@threadalaska.org
    Wednesday, Dec. 4, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
    Monday, Dec. 9, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
    Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1:00 – 2:00 pm 

Quality Initiative applications are accepted based on eligibility, meeting the intent of the Quality Initiative, and a short interview while funding allows. Consideration will be given to statewide representation and priority to programs that did not receive a Quality Initiative during the last two fiscal years.

If you have questions, please contact us.

Quality Initiatives at-a-Glance

  New Provider Infant/Toddler Accreditation Go NAPSACC
  See full QI details See full QI details See full QI details See full QI details
Who should apply? New Program Owners/Administrators within their first year of licensing or with a provisional child care license Child care providers or owners of current or provisionally licensed programs who work with infants and toddlers Programs interested in learning more about the NAEYC or NAFCC accreditation process Licensed child care programs in Alaska who are current/active in the Alaska SEED Registry. 
Description This QI aims to improve the quality of brand new programs through setting SMART goals together, coaching support and training to meet those goals, and an introduction to thread services available to licensed providers. This Quality Initiative (QI) aims to improve the quality of infant and toddler learning environments and interactions through SMART goals, targeted training, and coaching support. Participants will receive guidance and resources from thread Specialists. Learn about the accreditation requirements and the process through the NAEYC and NAFCC. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of a national best practices in early childhood education and explore how your program could benefit from achieving accreditation.  Through this Quality Initiative (QI) you’ll receive technical assistance from thread to plan and support the health, nutrition, and physical activity of the children in your program. 
Financial Grant $3,000 $500 $500 $1,250
Application Deadline December 23, 2024 December 23, 2024 December 23, 2024 September 19, 2025
Application Closed Closed Closed Open
  See full QI details See full QI details See full QI details See full QI details

for NEW BUSINESSES

New Provider

Applications are open from December 3 – 23, 2024.

Are you a new child care program who would benefit from assistance setting goals and taking steps to meet those goals? This Quality Initiative (QI) is intended for individual owners/providers and programs within their first year of licensing or with a provisional child care license. You’ll get the technical assistance you need to start off your business on the right foot.

As a participant, you will:

  • Receive an orientation to thread services, available to licensed providers!
  • Access your thread Tools account and discover many valuable resources.
  • Develop SMART goals to improve the quality of your program with your thread Professional Development Specialist partner.
  • Participate in agreed-upon trainings and educational opportunities.
  • Receive up to 6 hours of Technical Assistance (TA) based on Proposal and SMART Goal (admin or classroom).
  • Once the goals have been met, your program will receive a financial award of $3,000.

Eligibility

  • Work for or own a current or provisionally licensed child care program.
  • Be current/active in the Alaska SEED Registry. If you are not yet a member, thread can support you in completing your Alaska SEED application.
  • Attend a casual application interview to ensure that this Quality Initiative meets your program’s goals.

Requirements

  • Register for thread Tools (one account per program).
  • Meet with your thread partner regularly to create your Quality Improvement plan and related SMART Goals (up to 5 hours of technical assistance).
  • Commit to being responsive to your thread partner and to completing the SMART goals you create together.
  • Complete 8 hours of thread training from a provided menu of trainings, chosen to meet your SMART goals.
  • Upload a completed IRS Form W9 with application and your Child Care License.
  • Complete an evaluation within 90 days of receiving award funds.
APPLICATION CLOSED

for PROGRAMS (ADMINISTRATORS/OWNERS)

Infant and Toddler

Applications are open from December 3 – 23, 2024.

This Quality Initiative (QI) focuses on supporting programs to improve the quality of their infant and toddler learning environment and interactions.

As a participant, you will:

  • Receive orientation to thread services.
  • Access your thread Tools account and discover many valuable resources.
  • Develop SMART goals to improve the quality of your program with your thread Professional Development Specialist partner.
  • Participate in agreed-upon trainings and educational opportunities.
  • Receive up to 6 hours of Technical Assistance (TA) based on SMART Goals.
  • Once the goals have been met, receive a financial award of $500 to support goal implementation.

Eligibility

  • Work for or own a current or provisionally licensed child care program.
  • Be current/active in the Alaska SEED Registry. If you are not yet a member, thread can support you in completing your Alaska SEED application.
  • Attend an application interview to ensure that this Quality Initiative meets your program’s goals.

Requirements

  • Register for thread Tools (one account per program).
  • Administrator empowers infant/toddler educator to complete training and work on selected goals.
  • Complete 4 hours of thread training from a provided menu of trainings, chosen to meet your SMART goals and participate in at least 6 hours of required technical assistance (Plan-Do-Reflect).
  • Upload a completed IRS Form W9 with your application and your Child Care License.
  • Complete an evaluation within 90 days of receiving award funds.
APPLICATION CLOSED

Accreditation

Applications are open from December 3 – 23, 2024.

Interested in Achieving National Accreditation for your program? This Quality Initiative (QI) is an opportunity to learn more about the accreditation requirements and the process involved to voluntarily become accredited through either the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or the National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC). Getting familiar with the accreditation requirements allows you the opportunity to reflect on the quality of your services compared to national practices.

As a participant, you will:

  • Receive orientation to thread services.
  • Access your thread Tools account and discover many valuable resources.
  • Explore the accreditation requirements and process.
  • Develop SMART goals to improve the quality of your program with your thread Professional Development Specialist partner.
  • Participate in agreed-upon trainings and educational opportunities.
  • Receive up to 5 hours of Technical Assistance (TA) based on SMART Goals.
  • Once the goals have been met, receive a financial award of $500 to support goal implementation

Eligibility

  • Work for or own a current or provisionally licensed childcare program.
  • Be current/active Alaska SEED Registry. If you are not yet a member, thread can support you in completing your SEED application.
  • Attend an application interview to ensure that this Quality Initiative meets your program’s goal.

Requirements

  • Register for thread Tools (one account per program).
  • Complete the self-study.
  • Attend 5 hours of Technical Assistance (Plan-Do-Reflect), divided into 5 cycles (4 required, 1 optional).
  • Upload a completed IRS Form W9 with application and your Child Care License.
  • Complete an evaluation within 90 days of receiving award funds.
APPLICATION CLOSED

Go NAPSACC

Applications are open from September 1 – 19, 2025, while funds are available.

thread, in partnership with The Alaska Department of Health, Physical Activity and Nutrition Unit (DOH PAN), brings you the opportunity to participate in the Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC) program. Through this Quality Initiative (QI) you’ll receive technical assistance from thread to plan and support the health, nutrition, and physical activity of the children in your program.

Priority will be given to facilities that serve rural Alaska, low-income families, and/or children who are Alaska Native.

As a participant, you will:

  • Attend two virtual Go NAPSACC 1-hour sessions for orientation and reflection
  • Explore the Go NAPSACC portal and complete 2 training modules
  • Receive technical assistance (coaching, consultation or mentoring)
  • Receive 10 hours of Alaska SEED approved training credit
  • Receive a financial grant of $1,250 to work towards any physical activity and nutrition goals

Eligibility

  • Current/active in the Alaska SEED Registry
  • Licensed child care program in Alaska
  • Priority will be given to those serving families with low incomes or living in rural communities serving predominately Alaska Native children (one or the other or combination)

Requirements

  • Attend two virtual Go NAPSACC 1-hour sessions for orientation and reflection
  • Complete 1 general module (Child Nutrition, Oral Health, Screen Time, Outdoor Play & Learning and Social Emotional) + 1 priority model like (Breastfeeding & Infant Feeding, Farm to ECE, and Infant and Child Physical Activity) in the Go NAPSACC portal including: pre-assessment, goal setting, action planning, training, and post-assessment
  • Support goal implementation for up to 10 hours with a thread consultant
  • Submit a completed IRS Form W9 and copy of program childcare license
  • Fill out the QI Evaluation
APPLY