2024-25 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.

What Quality Initiatives is thread currently offering?

This year, our New Provider, Infant/Toddler, and Accreditation Quality Improvement initiatives will focus on setting program goals and providing training to improve your skills and knowledge. We expect to launch these initiatives in early winter, so stay tuned! Space is limited, so make sure to keep an eye on our newsletter and social media for updates on how to apply once they’re available.

Find more detailed information in the QI summaries below.

Am I eligible to receive a Quality Initiative?

If you are an early childhood education owner or program administrator and 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?

The application period for two of thread’s recent QIs is currently closed. However, stay tuned for updates on more QIs opening this winter. Review the application deadlines in the at-a-glance QI table in addition to the individual QI summary.

Quality Initiative applications are accepted based on eligibility, meeting the intent of the Quality Initiative, and a short interview while funding allows. Consideration will be given to statewide representation and priority to programs that did not receive a Quality Initiative during the last two fiscal years.

If you have questions, please contact us.

Quality Initiatives at-a-Glance

  Infant & Toddler: Conscious Discipline Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Go NAPSACC
  See full QI details See full QI details
Who Should Apply? Programs – Program Owners & Administrators Programs – Program Owners & Administrators
Description This Quality Initiative focuses on supporting programs to improve the quality of their infant and toddler learning environment and interactions. This Quality Initiative focuses on supporting programs to improve health practices for children’s nutrition and physical activity.
Award Baby Doll Circle Time bundle $1,000
Application Dates August 2 – August 30, 2024 September 9 – 30, 2024
Application CLOSED CLOSED

for PROGRAMS (ADMINISTRATORS/OWNERS)

Infant and Toddler

THIS QI IS NOW CLOSED.

Training must be completed by October 15, 2024.

This Quality Initiative (QI) focuses on supporting programs to improve the quality of their infant and toddler learning environment and interactions. A designated educator will complete a 12-hour asynchronous Conscious Discipline Infant/Toddler e-Learning course that provides the relationship-based competencies necessary to create a strong foundation for optimal brain development, mental health, resilience, and social-emotional development. Upon completion of the training and reflection, programs will receive a Baby Doll Circle Time bundle. If more than one award is earned per program, one set of materials will be provided per classroom.

As a participant, you will receive:

  • High-value, 12-hour Conscious Discipline training
  • Baby Doll Circle Time bundle: 4 multicultural baby dolls and a program guide in either English or Spanish to implement Baby Doll Circle Time in your own classroom
  • An option to join one of several Plan-Do-Reflect sessions to develop your own Baby Doll Circle Time practice and refine your skills
    • The first 3-part series will be:
      • November 6: 7 – 8:30 pm
      • November 13: 7 – 8 pm
      • November 20: 7 – 8 pm
      • Register through the ServicePortal.

Eligibility

Requirements

  • Complete a 12-hour online training course through Conscious Discipline: Start Strong – SEL Foundations & Resiliency in Infants & Toddlers by October 15, 2024. This is a wonderfully engaging and reflective training.
  • Submit a minimum of 150-word reflection by October 22, 2024.

More about Conscious Discipline:

Conscious Discipline creates a compassionate culture. It facilitates an intentional shift in adult understanding of behavior via the Conscious Discipline Brain State Model. It provides specific brain-friendly, research-backed strategies for responding to each child’s individual needs with wisdom. This highly effective approach is proven to increase self-regulation, sense of safety, connection, empathy, and intrinsic motivation in both children and adults. Learn how to use the Conscious Discipline Brain State Model in your program. The methodology of Conscious Discipline is based on scientific and developmental research. It is recognized by SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP).

Go NAPSACC

THIS QI IS NOW CLOSED.

thread, in partnership with the State of Alaska Department of Health (DOH), Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Unit 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 a session to learn about Go NAPSACC requirements
  • Explore the Go NAPSACC portal and complete a training module
  • Receive technical assistance and coaching
  • Receive a financial grant of $1,000 to work towards any physical activity and nutrition goals

Eligibility

  • Current/active 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 and/or serving predominately Alaska Native children.

Requirements

  • Attend two Go NAPSACC 1-hour sessions for orientation and reflection
  • Complete 1 of 7 modules in the Go NAPSACC portal including: pre-assessment, goal setting, action planning, training, and post-assessment
  • Support goal implementation for up to 5 hours with a thread consultant
  • Submit a signed IRS Form W9 and copy of the program’s business license
  • Fill out the QI Evaluation