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Grants and Incentives

The State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ Early Childhood Services Bureau (ECSB) supports quality early care and education programs for all children. The ECSB funds many programs, called Best Beginnings Quality Initiatives, to provide additional funding in the form of grants and incentives to child care professionals in Montana.

Mini Grants

Mini grants and infant/toddler mini grants are administered regionally. The Missoula, Mineral, and Ravalli County region has been allocated $15,443 per quarter from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010. Grant amounts remain $1,000 for homes and $1,500 for centers. Providers can apply for both regular and infant/toddler mini grants.

Mini grant applications are due on the first of each month. Applications can be submitted to Child Care Resources by mail, fax or email. Priorities for mini grants include the following:

• New providers who have become registered/licensed within the past 12 months.
• Facilities that need to meet licensing compliance issues.
• Professional development.
• Business equipment.
• To assist in continual quality improvement or to meet additional requirements to achieve national accreditation.

Download a Mini Grant Application >>

Merit Pay

The Best Beginnings Merit Pay program was developed with the goal of improving the quality of services provided to young children, by encouraging child care professionals to participate in additional professional development.

More information on Merit Pay >>

Scholarships

There are several scholarships available through the Montana Early Childhood Project to help early childhood professionals achieve their professional development goals. For a description of the scholarships available and the application process for each, please visit the Montana Early Childhood Project website.