Montana families are paying just over $9,000 a year to have an infant attend a full time care center. For low-income, working single parents this could mean nearly 44% of their income is spent on child care.
I need child care, but can’t afford it. What do I do?
HRDC offers the State of Montana’s Best Beginnings scholarship for Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Powder River, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Wheatland, and Yellowstone Counties. You can fill out the application online here.
You can also download the application or pick it up at the HRDC office in Billings or Hardin, or call either location and request an application be mailed to you.
Recipients of the scholarship are working low-income families, working care takers, TANF recipients, disabled parents, foster or guardianship families, and parents in high school, college or pursuing a GED may apply for the Best Beginnings Scholarship. Please click here for more information about eligibility.
How many hours must I work in order to qualify as working low-income?
Parents or guardians must be participating in the following eligible activities:
Two parent families must work at least 120 hours per month;
Single parent families must work at least 60 hours per month;
Single parent families do not have to work while they attend school/training full time;
Single parent families who are attending school/training part-time must work 40 hours; or
Teen parents must be attending high school or a high school equivalency program.
Does the work requirement pertain to foster or guardianship families?
Families are solely responsible for making co-payments to their child care provider plus any fees or charges that may exceed the district child care provider rates. Click here for the sliding scale and co-payment calculator.
I need help finding a child care provider. Who can I contact?
HRDC has a free service that helps you find quality child care that best fits your needs. Click here to go to our Child Care Referral Page.
Are there restrictions on where I take my child for care?
Children on the Best Beginnings Scholarship must attend a licensed child care center, registered group or family child care home, or certified Family/Friend/Neighbor (FFN) formerly known as legally certified child care provider.
I’m not sure if the child care provider I’ve selected qualifies for the program. Who can I ask?
Contact one of our Case Managers or our Child Care Referral Specialist by calling (406) 247-4700.
Early October the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Child Care Stabilization grants will be available for providers to help with rent, mortgage, utilities, payroll, benefits, health & safety training, and much more
Montana Association for the Education of Young Children (MTAEYC) is holding the Annual Montana Early Childhood Educators’ Conference in Butte, MT, October 21st-23rd. Follow this link for more information and to register! The Early Bird Special is available until September 18th.
You will find all the regulations and forms to become a licensed or registered child care provider at the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing website. Check it out at:https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/childcare/childcarelicensing/
Child Care’s Provider Services Department provides help and support for:
Licensed and new child care centers, family & group homes, and Family/Friend/Neighbors in Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Powder River, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Wheatland, and Yellowstone Counties.
What kind of support is available to child care providers?
HRDC provides oversight and resources to ensure providers are given the tools they need to remain compliant with state regulations and deliver a safe, affordable and quality service. In addition to trainings we offer:
Tips and resources to improve your program; and recruitment, retention and motivation of staff
Ideas for low cost marketing, daily schedules and transitions, and how to operate a safe and healthy program
How to implement emergency policies and procedures including medication administration and managing infectious disease
Resources to provide developmentally appropriate care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers
State and National accreditation, standards, and quality rating and improvement systems
In Home Provider Toolkit This is a great for home-based businesses, and useful to those starting up and/or needing support.
2021 Provider Financial Assistance Program HRDC 7 administers the Provider Financial Assistance Program (PFAP) for the South Central and South Eastern counties listed above. PFAP is offered based on available funding.
What types of services are offered?
Maintain licensing requirements
Technical assistance
Professional Development Training in:
Observation, Documentation, & Assessment
Program Management
Family & Community Partnerships
Environmental Design
Child Growth & Development
Health & Well-Being
Professionalism
Curriculum
Diversity
Child Guidance
Evidence Based Best Practices
For young children with special needs and their parents and providers
What services are available to new providers?
Program Management Essentials and Early Childhood Essentials
Assistance with selecting classes
Technical assistance for policies, procedures, contracts and record maintenance
Online Registration for all courses is required and payment through the Early Childhood Project. You will need to sign in or create an ECP account to complete online registration.
Here are some community resources you may need to contact if you need training immediately:
Billings Clinic- This American Heart Association Heartsaver courses are for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in first aid and/or CPR and AED to meet job, regulatory or other requirements. This course covers adult, infant and child CPR. To register, you may do it online, call 406-255-8440 or 1-800-252-1246.
American Medical Response- AMR offers American Red Cross certification and training in Adult, Child CPR, First Aid and AED training. Please contact Kim Hopkins at AMR: 406-259-9601 (She has flexibility in hours and can discuss where trainings can take place).
HRDC 7- We are working to bring you a new Hybrid Red Cross training which will include an Online learning portion, coupled with an in-person skills assessment. You will register and pay HRDC 7, take the online portion and pass, then schedule a skills test. Watch the website (www.hrdc7.org) for UPDATES regarding this transition.
Note: 2020 Zoom Etiquette You can enroll in another Montana agency’s course by searching the ECP calendar. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic all trainings will be taught with Zoom until further notice. To learn more about using Zoom watch this video.
If you are a provider and are looking for information about how to apply to the Practitioner Registry, please click here.
A Family/Friend/Neighbor is a special certification for a friend or family member that cares for up to two children from different families or all the children in one sibling group. The family that is receiving care must be eligible for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship. Click here for the FFN page on dphhs.mt.gov
How do I apply to become a Family/Friend/Neighbor (FFN)?
Forms required for all adults living in the household 18 years and older (fees vary)
Statement of Health Form
State of MT Release of Information
FBI Release of Information form for Fingerprint
Health and Safety Checklist
Medication Administration Attestation
Immunization Certification Form
Tax ID Form – W9
Training Requirements
Health & Safety Overview
FFN Fundamentals
CPR/First Aid Certification (required for non-relative care)
Contact Child Care Licensing if you have any questions about the FFN Program:
PO Box 4210
Helena MT 59620-4210
Phone: (406) 444-2012
Fax : (406) 444-2750 or Email: childcarelicensing@mt.gov
Our Referral Specialist helps you find quality child care that best fits your needs. Whether your hours of needed care are limited or you are looking for specific environments, we connect families to licensed or registered child care providers to provide a quality experience for everyone. We provide referrals for families in Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Powder River, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Wheatland and Yellowstone counties.
Stop by our office or call (406) 247-4700 to get a child care need form.
Create an account to generate your own list by clicking here.
Click here to complete an online child care need form.
Click here to print out a form and return it to us by:
Mail: PO Box 2016 Billings, MT 59103 – Attention: Child Care Referral Specialist
Drop it by our office at 7 N 31st St, Billings, MT
If you are a provider and need to update information with our Referral Specialist click here.
Region 1
The Nurturing Center
146 Third Ave W Kalispell MT, 59901 (406) 756-1414, 800-204-0644, Fax: (406) 756-1410 nurturingcenter.org
Region 2
Child Care Resources
105 East Pine Street Lower Level – PO Box 7038 Missoula MT, 59807 (406) 728-6446, 800-728-6446, Fax: (406) 549-1189 childcareresources.org
In an effort to reduce the costs of child care while ensuring children receive healthy and nutritious meals, eligible child care providers are given cash reimbursement for serving meals to enrolled participants that meet Federal nutritional guidelines, outlined in the CACFP meal pattern.
Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Fallon, Fergus, Musselshell, Prairie, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wheatland and Yellowstone.
How many meals are eligible for reimbursement?
Participating providers may be approved to claim up to two meals and one snack, or two snacks and one meal, per day, per child.
What trainings are required as a CACFP participant?
Participants are required to participate in two mandatory trainings annually.
2 hour regulations training includes a review of CACFP requirements, recordkeeping, payments and civil rights.
2 hour nutrition training includes CACFP meal patterns, menus, recipes, and food safety.
Do you conduct site visits?
Yes. We will visit each CACFP participant’s site a minimum of three times a year.
How do I enroll in the CACFP?
Family and Group Home providers should call (406) 247-4700 to apply. Child Care Centers must apply through the state department or call 888-307-9333. Facilities must be licensed to qualify for CACFP.
CACFP is provided by the USDA and administered through the Montana Department of Health and Human Services CACFP program. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. USDA is an equal opportunity employer.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
For all other FNS nutrition assistance programs, State or local agencies, and their subrecipients, must post the following Nondiscrimination Statement:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program DiscriminationComplaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
The Best Beginnings STARS to Quality Program is a voluntary quality rating and improvement system that aligns quality indicators with support and incentives for early childhood programs and early childhood professionals. The Early Childhood Services Bureau has enjoyed watching the program grow and develop with the input from the various stakeholders, and has listened carefully to early childhood professionals, parents, and national experts to provide a strong program, desired by many.
STARS has several components:
Workforce Development
Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)
Infrastructure to administer the programs, provide training , coaching, and technical assistance, and to validate the STARS system
How do I apply to be a STARS Provider?
Programs may apply for Best Beginnings STARS to Quality at any time on the Early Childhood Project website. To apply, you must log in as an organization, go to the STARS tab, and click “Apply for STARS”. If your application is accepted, you will be notified and sent a STARS to Quality agreement and W-9 which must be returned in order to be accepted into STARS to Quality. Click the link below to apply. If you need assistance, contact HRDC Provider Services, watch the video tutorials, or click here for printable instructions.
How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age.
Click below for printable information about each stage.
2 months -She begins to smile and hold her head up.
4 months -He starts to babble and can hold a toy and shake it.
6 months -She likes to look in the mirror and can sit up without support.
9 months -He has favorite toys and can stand holding on.
1 year -She will hand you a book to read and can wave “bye-bye”.
18 months -He may have a temper tantrum and be able to run.
2 years -She shows more and more independence and says sentences with 2 to 4 words.
3 years -He will copy adults and friends and turn pages of a book one at a time.
4 years -She will sing a song and uses scissors with supervision.
5 years -He speaks very clearly and can use a fork, spoon, and sometimes a table knife.
This project is funded in whole or in part under a Contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Department. These webpages are funded 100% by federal monies.
Do you, a friend or a family member need assistance?
Montana families are paying just over $9,000 a year to have an infant attend a full time care center. For low-income, working single parents this could mean nearly 44% of their income is spent on child care.
