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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.

Professional Development Incentive Award

The Professional Development Incentive Award (formerly Merit Pay I) has been developed with the goal of improving the quality of early care and education for young children and families through high quality intentional, informal education (not for college credit). The 2010-2011 application requires applicants to identify their training needs and interests by Montana Knowledge Base content area.

Professional Development Incentive Award Application >>

Mini Grants

The mini grant allocation amount for Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli Counties for October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012 is $2,882 per quarter. Providers may only receive one mini grant per year. If you have received a grant in the past year, you must wait 12 months from that contract date to apply again. Family and group facilities are eligible to apply for up to $2,000 and centers are eligible to apply for up to $3,000.

Mini grant applications will be reviewed quarterly. Applications are due on 11/1, 2/1, 4/1 and 6/1. Applications can be submitted to Child Care Resources by mail, fax or email. Priorities for mini grants include the following:

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

Download a Mini Grant Application >>
Download a Mini Grant Application Supplement Form >>

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.