Program Quality Initiatives Overview
What is a Quality Initiative?
A Quality Initiative (QI) is an opportunity for early care and learning programs to participate in professional
development around a specific early care and learning topic. All Quality Initiatives through thread include training,
goal setting with the development of a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), consultation to support the implementation
of the QIP and a financial stipend of $1,000. All early care and education programs licensed by the State of Alaska
or Municipality of Anchorage are eligible to apply.
All participants in Quality Initiatives are required to be an active member of the Alaska System for Early Education
Development (SEED) Registry. The SEED Registry is a database that supports early childhood professionals. This
dynamic database tracks educational and professional development milestones of early educators on an individual
basis. For more information or to become a member please contact 907.265.3194 or visit www.threadalaska.org.
What are the Program Quality Initiatives?
Program Quality Initiatives are opportunities for early educators to advance the quality of their program through one
of three specific topics:

New provider
o This QI assists approved providers or providers who have been licensed for less than a year to
become familiar with basic best practices. The focus of this initiative is on programmatic
operations, business practices and/or setting up classroom environments.

Playful Learning
o This QI supports providers with classroom arrangements, curriculum, routines and schedules,
health and safety practices, and/or interactions. A Classroom Assessment Scoring System
(CLASS) or Environmental Rating Scales (ERS), nationally standardized tool, observation will be
completed. They are used by many programs to enhance the overall quality of their care.

Accreditation
o This QI supports programs interested in pursuing national accreditation. Family Child Care
programs are accreditation through the National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC).
Child care centers programs are accreditation through the National Association for Education of
Young Children (NAEYC).
Upon completion of Quality Initiative requirements (listed below), programs may receive a financial stipend of
$1,000 to defray the costs of training and/or implementing goals based on the QIP. Financial stipends are
st
th
distributed as funding allows with only one award per program per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30 ). It is mandatory
that all participants complete the following requirements for the Program Quality Initiative they apply for:
Requirements
Submit QI Application
Join the SEED
Registry
Complete thread
training
Develop a QIP with
thread consultant
Consultation
Evaluation
Financial Stipend
New Provider
Playful Learning
Accreditation
Provided below and can be submitted to thread any time before May 1, 2016.
All employees must join the
Employees working directly on the QI must be in or apply
SEED registry.
to the SEED registry.
Applications to join the SEED Registry can be found online
at:http://threadalaska.org/index.cfm/Early-Educators/Alaska-SEED-Registry
Accreditation Self4 hours of training of your choice from thread within fiscal year
Study
Once your application is received a thread consultant will contact you to discuss
participation in the QI, how consultation can support you and to develop goals for the QIP
Up to 5 hours of on-site, e-mail and/or phone support to help you implement QIP goals
Your opportunity to provide feedback on whether the Quality Initiative met your
expectations and how we can make improvements
Receive a $1,000 award which is mailed up to 90 days after QI completion.
Program Quality Initiatives Application
Applicant Information
Name (primary contact):
Early Care and Education Program:
(thread will only issue a check to the program. Please use the full legal business name)
Program Mailing Address (street, city, zip):
Telephone:
Email:
Are you an active member of the SEED registry or have you applied in the last month? ☐Yes
☐No
Which QI are you applying for (please only select ONE)?
☐ New Provider
☐ Playful Learning
☐ Accreditation
Which age group is your main focus?
☐ Infant/Toddler
☐ Preschool
☐ Mixed Ages
☐ School-Age
Please discuss three strengths of your program:
Please describe three areas for your program to grow/develop:
Please describe three things you are hoping to learn from participation:
How will receiving consultation benefit your program?
Statement of Agreement
I work in a State of Alaska or Municipality of Anchorage licensed child care program at least 20 hours a week and I
am an active member of the SEED Registry. If selected, I agree to complete all required documentation and project
requirements.
Signature
Date
An original signature is required; please mail or deliver this application to your local thread office.