thread appreciates the importance of recognizing outstanding individuals and programs in the child care industry. We wanted to celebrate the successes of these individuals and programs. So, in 2015 thread launched an awards program to highlight those who are excelling professionally and providing the highest quality care. When we celebrate the achievements and share in the best practices of our top performers, we grow as an industry.
The first award category honors early childhood education professionals and is named after one of the founding mothers of early childhood work in Alaska, Cindy Harrington. The Cindy Harrington Heart & Mind Award is an annual award given to an individual who is currently working in the field of early childhood education in the state of Alaska. This award honors Cindy’s passion, strength, and professionalism by awarding an individual in early childhood education who exemplifies these characteristics. One of Cindy Harrington’s strengths was recognizing individual achievement, especially when it involved overcoming barriers. The recipient of this award demonstrates the qualities Cindy herself would want to honor. The recipient receives the Cindy Harrington Heart & Mind Award and a monetary award of $1,000. They are also featured on thread’s website, in thread’s e-Newsletter, and in a press release to the media. Nominations for this award are now closed.
In 2017 thread launched a statewide Quality Improvement Program of the Year award to recognize both an early childhood education program and a family child care program that has demonstrated a strong dedication to continuous quality improvement and has made exceptional progress in the past year through Learn & Grow, Alaska’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS).
thread will be hosting a virtual Awards event on Friday, May 10, 2024. RSVP to the event here.
Want to do more? Join us in honoring Alaska’s child care leaders and become a thread Awards sponsor. As a sponsor, you’ll support this event and the early childhood educators and programs that provide high-quality child care for Alaska’s children and families. More information here.