The Powering Ahead with Technology Project is in full-swing. We are working hard to upgrade thread’s entire digital infrastructure to keep up with the demand for services. We know that many early care and learning programs do not have the capacity to allow staff time off for training, especially in remote locations where local training is not available. This becomes a barrier to providing higher quality care. But this past summer, thread was able to upgrade all of its training rooms with SmartBoards and new distance learning technology. Now more early educators, especially those in remote regions, can advance their professional knowledge and acquire new skills through thread’s online training at a lower cost than traditional classroom trainings.
We also know that many families want to access thread’s child care referral services online. As part of this project, thread launched a new online child care search tool to make finding a child care program that best meets the unique needs of every family easier. And, we are not done yet! The technology project continues into 2018 as we invest in a new data management system and launch a new website! We will continue to keep you updated on our progress.
Thank you to the Rasmuson Foundation, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, State of Alaska Child Care Program Office, Conoco Phillips Alaska, and all of our individual donors for supporting this project.