thread

🚨 Today is the last day to make changes to your Pick.Click.Give donation!

Through August 31, you can add, update, or adjust your Pick.Click.Give gift.

If you're making changes to your pledge, we hope you'll consider supporting thread.

Your generosity helps:

• Families find safe, nurturing child care so parents can work or attend school
• Early educators access training, resources, and support
• Alaska’s youngest learners get a strong start for school and life

Thank you to everyone who has chosen to Pick.Click.Give in 2026. Your support strengthens child care and helps Alaska’s children, families, and early educators thrive.

Prefer to give directly? Donate here:

🔗 https://secure.givelively.org/donate/thread

⏰ Only a few days left to apply!

The deadline to apply for Optima Health Benefits is August 31. If you're an eligible early childhood professional, don't miss this opportunity to receive a monthly stipend for 12 months to choose the health and wellness benefits that work best for you.

Available benefits include:

• Dental and vision insurance
• Telemedicine and teletherapy
• Accident, life, and disability insurance
• Critical illness and hospital coverage
• Pet insurance
• Legal services
• Identity theft and cybersecurity protection

Don't wait until the last minute! Applications close August 31.

Learn more and apply today:

🔗

Optima Health Benefits – SEED Early Educator Health Benefits Application Dates: August 3, 2026 – August 31, 2026 Your health is important, and Alaska SEED is here to support you. Apply to receive a monthly stipend for one year to be used for selected health services through Optima Benefits, including vision and dental insuranc...

Early bird registration for the Northwest Early Learning & Pyramid Summit ends soon! 🙌

The Northwest Early Learning and Pyramid Summit is coming to Anchorage in November! This summit brings together early childhood administrators, coaches, behavior specialists, educators, and state teams to strengthen foundational practices that support young children's healthy development. Spanish sessions will be available. Eligible educators can use Alaska SEED's Professional Development Reimbursement to help pay for registration costs.

🔗 https://bit.ly/3SbwEmF

The deadline enroll in Licensing Support Program is August 31‼️

thread is reopening the Business of Caring program! Enrollment is open now through August 31 for this initiative that supports Alaskans interested in starting a licensed child care program or expanding their existing program. 🙌 Participants receive technical assistance, practical resources, startup materials, and stipends to help offset eligible startup costs. By reducing barriers to opening licensed child care businesses, Business of Caring helps expand access to quality child care for families across Alaska.

Learn more and apply:

🔗 https://www.threadalaska.org/thread/educators-and-programs/early-education-programs/grants/business-of-caring/

The deadline to apply for health benefits is August 31! 🚨

There is one week left for eligible early childhood professionals to apply for Optima Health Benefits, a program designed to support educator well-being. 🙌 Approved participants will receive a monthly stipend for 12 months to select the health and wellness benefits that best meet their needs. Available options include:

✨Dental insurance
✨Vision insurance
✨Telemedicine and teletherapy services
✨Accident insurance
✨Life insurance
✨Short-term and long-term disability insurance
✨Critical illness coverage
✨Hospital indemnity coverage
✨Pet insurance
✨Legal services
✨Identity theft and cybersecurity protection

Learn more and apply:

https://www.threadalaska.org/seed/financial-support/health-benefits

Take advantage of this FREE Back-to-School Survival Class for parents! 🎒📚🏫

📆 August 27, 2026
🕕 6 pm
📍 Anchor Lutheran School (8100 Arctic Blvd., Anchorage 99518)

Back-to-school stress can quickly turn into rushed mornings, bedtime battles, screen-time arguments, exhausted parents, and kids starting the day already overwhelmed.

The Home Advantage is a practical, interactive ROOTS Grounded Parenting workshop designed to help families create calmer mornings, less stress, stronger connection, and more confidence at home. You’ll learn practical tools that help reduce power struggles, improve cooperation, strengthen routines, and make everyday family life feel more manageable. 💗

Learn more and register here:

🔗 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/zenremedy/2360231

Congratulations Alaska Friendship Circle on the opening of your all-ability outdoor play center! 🤗

thread’s CEO, Stephanie Berglund, was delighted to take part in the ribbon cutting and speak during the ceremony. We are a proud partner and loved seeing this idea come to fruition. What a great addition to our community. 💕

Learn more about Alaska Friendship Circle at https://alaskafriendshipcircle.org/

2015 marked a milestone for thread! 🌟

We launched the thread Awards program to celebrate excellence in early childhood education and honor the legacy of founding leader and thread Board member Cindy Harrington. 💜

The very first Cindy Harrington Heart & Mind Award was presented to Jennifer Clark, whose compassionate, visionary leadership embodies the heart and mind Cindy inspired in us all. 💐

Today, we're proud to have Jennifer as part of the thread team, where she continues to champion Alaska's early childhood community every day. 🎉❤️

Learn more about thread’s history here:

🔗 https://www.threadalaska.org/thread/about-thread/history-special-projects/

thread was excited to participate in the Alaska Child Care Roundtable Luncheon, hosted by the Alaska Chamber and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Anchorage earlier this week. 🙌

thread's CEO, Stephanie Berglund, hosted a panel with thread Board President & UAA Economist, Kevin Berry and Representative Julie Coulombe. We had a great conversation exploring the economic impact of child care: policy, business & the path forward.

⏰ Only 1 day left to apply!

Ready to earn your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential? You could receive at least $2,000 for completing the program!

Applications for thread's 2026–27 CDA Training Series close August 21 - don't miss this opportunity.

If accepted, you'll receive:

✨ A FREE 1-year ProSolutions Training membership with CDA coursework
💰 Support to cover the $525 CDA application fee
🏆 A minimum of $2,000 after completing all program requirements and earning your CDA certification
Take the next step in your early childhood education career with training and financial support.

Learn more, check your eligibility, and apply today:

🔗 https://bit.ly/46hCAhT