For 40 years, thread has helped shape the early childhood landscape in Alaska by supporting families, strengthening the early educator workforce, and advancing high-quality child care across the state. What began in a small Anchorage closet has grown into a statewide organization dedicated to helping Alaska’s children thrive. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we reflect with gratitude on the partnerships, innovation, and shared commitment that continue to drive this work forward.
For 40 years, thread has had the privilege of walking alongside Alaska’s children, families, and early childhood educators to advance the quality of early childhood education across our state.
Our story began in 1985 in a small, closet-sized office in Anchorage. What started as Child Care Connection has grown into thread, Alaska’s statewide Child Care Resource and Referral organization serving communities across our vast and beautiful state. While much has changed over the past four decades, our purpose has remained constant. We believe every child deserves the strongest possible start in life and that includes access to affordable and high-quality early childhood education.
At thread, our work is rooted in connection. Connection to families. Connection to early educators. Connection to communities working together to support children. In a state defined by resilience, collaboration, and care for our neighbors, we are honored to be part of the network that supports Alaska’s youngest learners.
Today, thread helps families find affordable, high-quality child care, supports early educators in their professional growth, and partners with communities across Alaska to strengthen early learning systems statewide.
As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are filled with gratitude for the many people who have made this work possible.
Supporting Alaska Families in Finding Affordable, High-Quality Child Care
One of thread’s most important roles is helping families navigate the search for child care that meets their needs. Finding safe, affordable, high-quality child care can be challenging for families, especially in a state as geographically vast as Alaska. thread works every day to support parents in this process by providing information, resources, and guidance so they can make confident decisions about their child’s early learning experience.
For thousands of families each year, thread serves as a trusted starting point. Whether they are welcoming their first child, moving to a new community, or searching for specialized care, we are honored to help families find the support they need.
The trust families place in us is something we never take for granted, and it continues to inspire our work every day.
Investing in Alaska’s Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Workforce
High-quality early childhood education begins with the dedicated professionals who care for and teach young children.
thread is committed to supporting Alaska’s early educators through professional development, technical assistance, and financial support that strengthen the child care workforce. Over the years, we have expanded several key initiatives designed to elevate the profession and support educators in their careers.
The Alaska System for Early Education Development, known as Alaska SEED, provides a statewide professional development system that supports career pathways and ongoing learning for early childhood educators. Alaska SEED administers the ROOTS, Retaining Our Outstanding Teachers Stipends which recognize and support early educators as essential professionals by helping supplement wages and strengthen workforce stability.
Learn and Grow, Alaska’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System, supports early childhood education programs as they work toward higher quality standards and continuous improvement.
Together, these initiatives help ensure that early educators are supported, valued, and equipped to provide high-quality learning environments for Alaska’s children.
Responding to the Needs of Alaska’s Child Care System
Throughout our history, thread has adapted and expanded our work in response to emerging needs in Alaska’s child care system.
In 2012 and 2013, thread led the Safe Sleeping for Alaska’s Babies campaign, replacing outdated cribs in early childhood education programs across the state to ensure they met updated national safety standards. This initiative improved safety for infants in child care while also raising awareness of safe sleep practices statewide.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, thread worked closely with partners and funders to support child care programs and educators across Alaska. We helped deliver critical operational funding, shared essential training and guidance, and collaborated with partners to stabilize the child care sector during an incredibly difficult time.
These moments reflect what thread strives to do every day. We listen, we respond, and we work together with partners to support families and early educators when it matters most.
Partnering with Alaska Communities to Expand Child Care Solutions
thread’s work reaches every corner of Alaska, but we know that each community has its own needs, strengths, and opportunities.
That is why partnership with local communities is central to how we work.
Over the years, thread has collaborated with tribal organizations, municipalities, and regional partners to develop child care solutions that reflect local priorities. For example, thread partnered with leaders in Utqiagvik, the North Slope Borough, and the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation to implement quality child care programming in Utqiagvik and Nuiqsut.
More recently, in 2024, thread partnered with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska to support the development of additional tribal family child care programs.
From Ketchikan to Nome, these partnerships demonstrate what is possible when communities come together to strengthen early learning opportunities for children and families.
Advancing Child Care Policy and Early Childhood Systems in Alaska
In addition to direct services, thread works to strengthen the broader systems that support child care in Alaska.
Beginning in 2004, we made a commitment not only to serve families and early educators but also to help improve the policies and conditions that shape the child care sector. Since then, thread has invested in research, data collection, and policy engagement to better understand and address the challenges facing Alaska’s child care system.
Our work increasingly connects child care with economic development, workforce participation, and community wellbeing.
In 2015, thread launched the Summit on the Economic Impact of Early Care and Learning, a biennial event that brings together business leaders, policymakers, and community partners to explore the role of child care in Alaska’s economy.
To support long-term investment in early childhood education, thread also established the Early Education Fund for Alaska’s Children at the Alaska Community Foundation. This endowment helps build sustainable funding to promote quality early learning and support excellence in the early childhood field.
Celebrating the Partners, Staff, and Supporters Behind 40 Years of Impact
While programs and initiatives are important, the true strength of thread has always been the people behind the work.
We are deeply grateful to the families who trust us, the early educators who nurture and guide Alaska’s youngest learners, and the many partners, funders, and supporters who have stood alongside us for the past 40 years.
Our dedicated staff and board members have been central to this journey. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to our mission have shaped thread into the organization it is today.
We have also worked intentionally to build a positive and family-friendly workplace, knowing that strong organizations begin with strong teams. Investments in technology, improved systems, and organizational infrastructure have helped ensure that thread remains a responsive, effective, and sustainable nonprofit.
Together, these efforts position us to continue serving Alaska’s families and communities well into the future.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Early Childhood Education in Alaska
While we are proud of the progress made over the past four decades, our work is far from finished.
Across Alaska, there is growing recognition that child care is essential infrastructure for families, communities, and our economy. This increased attention brings new opportunities to strengthen the early childhood sector and build systems that truly support children, families, and educators.
thread remains committed to advancing policies that support sustainable funding, expanding access to high-quality child care, and strengthening the early educator workforce through fair wages and professional recognition.
Most importantly, we remain committed to listening to the families and educators we serve so that our work continues to evolve to meet Alaska’s changing needs.
As we celebrate 40 years of service, we do so with full hearts and deep gratitude for the relationships that have shaped our journey.
Together, we have built a strong foundation for Alaska’s children. Together, we will continue working toward a future where every child and family has access to the high-quality early care and learning opportunities they deserve.
With gratitude,
Stephanie Berglund
Chief Executive Officer
thread