Financial Incentives
Below are financial incentives available to licensed child care providers.
Provider Financial Assistance Program
The Provider Financial Assistance Program is a DPHHS Early Childhood Services program administered by Child Care Resources for providers in Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli Counties. Providers may apply for a single assistance award to fund the following purposes:
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Start Up Funds
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Emergency/Natural Disaster Funds
Applications for the Provider Financial Assistance Program may range from $500 – $3,000. All applications will be reviewed by a committee. Upcoming application deadlines are:​​​​​
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January 31, 2024
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April 30, 2024
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July 31, 2024
To find out more information and to apply, please see the Provider Financial Assistance Program Application.
CCR New Provider Grant
Child Care Resources has grants for new child care programs. Grants are available to new facilities that have been open for six months and again for new facilities that have been open for twelve months. Additional funds will be awarded to providers who care for infants. These grants can be used in addition to the Provider Financial Assistance Program.
To be eligible providers must:
· Be located in Missoula, Mineral or Ravalli County
· Serve at least 10% high risk children
· Apply for or participate in the STARS to Quality program
· Participate in ongoing support provided by Child Care Resources for new providers
· Participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) via CCR’s Sponsorship for homes or ECSB for Centers
To apply, please contact one of our Professional Development Specialists who will help you complete the application.
STARS to Quality Program
The STARS to Quality program is Montana’s voluntary Quality Rating Improvement System, or QRIS. Learn about the STARS to Quality Program.
Child and Adult Care Food Program
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CACFP provides partial meal reimbursements to help pay for nutritious meals to the children in your care. You can begin claiming meals for reimbursements the day we visit to sign you up!
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If you are a family or group home child care provider, and want to learn about the benefits of participating in the Food Program or to sign up, email our CACFP Program Specialist or call 406.728.6446
Incentive Programs
The Montana Early Childhood Project has several incentive programs available to help you achieve your professional development goals as an early childhood professional.
These programs change periodically, please go to the Montana Early Childhood Project to see the latest offerings.
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Provider Retention/Incentive Payments
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Organization Accreditation Scholarships
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Practitioner Registry Award for Achievement of GED or HiSET
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Professional Development Incentive Award-Higher Education
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Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program Childcare Development Specialist
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Child Development Associate for High School Students
