thread Awarded $2.3M Contract for Anchorage Childcare Stimulus
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To provide operational support for local childcare and early education programs, the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) awarded a $2.3 million contract to a statewide childcare resource and referral organization, thread.
Stabilize, Sustain, and Grow
The new program that thread will administer is called Steady Child Care: Municipality of Anchorage Child Care and Early Education Sector Stimulus. It’s meant to help stabilize, sustain, and grow high-quality childcare programs and address the ongoing financial challenges faced by early childcare programs.
“We are honored to continue serving the early education sector through this new initiative in partnership with the Municipality of Anchorage and the new Anchorage Child Care and Early Education Fund,” says thread CEO Stephanie Berglund. “Access to affordable, high-quality childcare is essential to Alaska’s families and workforce. This program will strengthen the sector, support the critical needs of childcare small businesses, and generate a positive ripple effect across our local economy.”
Current Issue
January 2026
To implement Steady Child Care, thread is responsible for allocating stimulus payments to qualifying childcare and early education programs to support daily operations, staffing, and infrastructure needs. To issue grant payments, thread will provide a transparent and accessible application process, conduct community outreach, offer technical assistance, and collect data to evaluate the program’s effectiveness.
In June, thread will launch an online application, accompanied by a detailed webpage, eligibility criteria, technical assistance support, and community outreach through email, social media, and blog posts. Awards for 2025 are expected to be distributed starting in August. Childcare programs will also be invited to complete a survey to help shape future sector investments and improvements.
This new initiative aligns with thread’s ongoing commitment to stabilize the childcare sector and improve access to childcare for families. It builds on years of strategic partnerships with the MOA, State of Alaska, Mat-Su Health Foundation, and others.
The Steady Child Care stimulus is one of three major initiatives of the Anchorage Child Care and Early Education Fund that the MOA is supporting this year. The other initiatives include a $1.25 million childcare subsidies program and $2 million for innovative pilot projects and capital funding via a request for grant proposals.
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