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 or educational materials.

What Quality Initiatives is thread offering this year?

thread is excited to offer the following QIs:

OPEN NOW:

COMING SOON:

  • For new child care businesses: New Provider
  • For licensed child care programs: 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 of the Go NAPSACC initiative.

Our staff will have 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.

Quality Initiative applications are accepted based on eligibility and meeting the intent of the Quality Initiative. Consideration will be given to statewide representation and priority to programs that serve rural Alaska, low-income families, and/or children who are Alaska Native. Also, priority will be given to programs that did not receive a Quality Initiative during the last fiscal year.

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? TBD TBD TBD Licensed child care programs in Alaska who are current/active in the Alaska SEED Registry. 
Description TBD TBD TBD 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 TBD TBD TBD $1,250
Application Deadline TBD TBD TBD October 15, 2025
Application Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Open
  See full QI details See full QI details See full QI details See full QI details

for NEW BUSINESSES

New Provider

More details coming soon!

for PROGRAMS (ADMINISTRATORS/OWNERS)

Infant and Toddler

More details coming soon!

Accreditation

More details coming soon!

Go NAPSACC

Applications are open from October 1 – 15, 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 module like (Breastfeeding & Infant Feeding, Farm to ECE, and Infant and Child Physical Activity) in the Go NAPSACC portal you will also complete a pre-assessment, set goals, and finish with a 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