Health & Wellness Support

thread is now accepting applications for the Early Educator Health and Wellness: Building Resilience for the Early Education Workforce, Children, and Families Grant.

This application period is open from October 14 – December 14, 2024.

For assistance or questions email: training@threadalaska.org

thread has received alcohol tax funding from the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA), Anchorage Health Department (AHD), to provide health and wellness services for early childhood educators. The focus areas for prevention and wellness programs include child abuse and neglect prevention, as well as family strengthening.

Please join thread in illuminating the impact early childhood educator’s health and wellness has on building resilience for early educators, young children, and families.

When early educators are healthy, both physically and mentally, they can be more attuned to their jobs and co-workers, and better able to meet the needs of the children they serve. A nationwide survey conducted by Teaching Strategies (October 2022) of 2,300 early childhood educators found 45% are experiencing high levels of burnout and mental health challenges and a study conducted by RAPID in December 2022 had similar results and found 71% of early childhood educators reported burn-out or “compassion fatigue”.

%

of surveyed early educators felt burned out “often” or “always.”

Source

This grant provides the following opportunities if one or all of the below trainings are completed:

Building Resilience for Early Education Workforce, Children, and Families

Eligible for $250

What is it?

A three-session training program focused on work-life balance, stress management, self-care, and introspective tools, aimed at improving engagement, teamwork, and decision-making for professionals.

What Does it Offer?

Practical tips and tools to strengthen team engagement, improve teamwork, build decision-making clarity, and enhance creativity. It also focuses on burnout prevention, mental health, and fostering connection in the workplace.

Introduction to FAN (Facilitating Attuned Interactions)

Eligible for $150

What is it?

A 3-hour condensed introduction to FAN training, which will support educators in developing reflective practices and improve child interactions. FAN is widely used in early childhood settings to build stronger, more supportive relationships that improve outcomes for both children and families.

What Does it Offer?

A condensed introduction that will support educators in developing reflective practices and improve child interactions.

FAN (Facilitating Attuned Interactions) Level 1 Practitioner

Eligible for $1,350

What is it?

A professional approach designed to enhance communication and relationship-building between early childhood professionals and families. Rooted in the principles of attunement, the FAN framework helps participants become more aware of their own feelings and the emotional states of others, improving their ability to respond empathetically and effectively in challenging situations.

What Does it Offer?

A comprehensive experience, covering all aspects of the FAN model in detail.

Eligibility:

Building Resilience for Early Education Workforce, Children, and Families

  1. Educators who are currently employed in the Municipality of Anchorage
  2. Educators who are a member of the Alaska SEED Registry
  3. Educators who work in a licensed child care program within the Municipality of Anchorage

Introduction to FAN

  1. Educators who are currently employed in the Municipality of Anchorage
  2. Educators who are a member of the Alaska SEED Registry
  3. Educators who work in a licensed child care program within the Municipality of Anchorage

FAN Level 1 Practitioner

  1. Educators who are currently employed in the Municipality of Anchorage
  2. Educators who are a member of the Alaska SEED Registry
  3. Educators who work in a licensed child care program within the Municipality of Anchorage
  4. Learn & Grow participants who have achieved or are working on Level 3

Not Eligible:

  1. Educators who work for a program outside the Municipality of Anchorage
  2. Educators who work for programs that are licensed by the Child Care Program Office and not the Municipality of Anchorage
  3. Educators who are not participants working on Level 3 in Learn & Grow (for FAN Level 1 Practitioner Training)