{"id":37648,"date":"2022-08-19T20:17:48","date_gmt":"2022-08-20T04:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging2.threadalaska.org\/thread-blog\/learning-growing-together-2\/"},"modified":"2023-06-13T13:27:14","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T21:27:14","slug":"learning-growing-together-2","status":"publish","type":"thread-blog","link":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/thread-blog\/learning-growing-together-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning & Growing Together"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Elevating Quality<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

As providers, advocates, parents, and guardians of children in Alaska, we care about the quality of child care available. To parents, high-quality child care is vital for their child\u2019s success. For programs, providing high-quality care is their goal. Learn & Grow, Alaska\u2019s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS), <\/strong>brings these needs together in a system designed to improve the quality of care and learning for children in their early developmental years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the goal to elevate quality in child care programs statewide, Learn & Grow<\/strong>, housed and managed by thread<\/strong>, is excited to announce a new Cohort learning model for programs. This dynamic learning model was explored in 2021-22 with some participating Learn & Grow programs. Due to its success, the Cohort model will be offered to all Learn & Grow programs in Fall 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The longer we are in Learn & Grow, the more positive outcomes we see in our family engagement and student support.” <\/em><\/strong><\/p>Learn & Grow participant working on Level 3<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Internal Growth & Advancement<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Part of Learn & Grow\u2019s internal quality improvement is looking for ways to improve the level of support provided to programs. In 2021-22, Learn & Grow explored the Cohort model to provide program administrators with a way to connect with each other. One major benefit of peer-to-peer learning is the collaboration amongst professionals. Adding peer-to-peer learning to the existing supports and resources (training, 1:1 coaching, etc.) already offered by Learn & Grow rounds out the services provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Programs participating in Learn & Grow work through five levels of quality activities<\/a>, beginning with Level 1 and moving up from there. Currently, programs can achieve Level 1 and 2, and Level 3 achievement is in progress. Since the establishment of Learn & Grow in 2016, participating programs have worked on the quality activities with support from thread <\/strong>Specialists or independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt has lead me to be much more proactive in completing one of my main CQIP goals which is acquiring my CDA. I think it was a great experience and I would recommend it to other programs participating in Learn & Grow.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>Learn & Grow cohort pilot participant working on Level 2 <\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Highlights from a Successful Pilot Year<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

As part of the pilot cohort, program administrators hosted 4 working on Level 1 cohorts; 4 working on Level 2 cohorts; and 1 working on Level 3 cohort sessions with their peers. These sessions were facilitated by a thread<\/strong> Specialist. During each of the sessions, the cohort discussed best practices, shared ideas, worked on their quality activities, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For program administrators in Learn & Grow, continual interaction with like-minded professionals also working towards the next level of quality, provided dynamic, supplemental support and encouragement in real-time. And the results showed it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the cohort:<\/p>\n\n\n\n