Financial Incentives
Best Beginnings STARS to Quality Program
The Best Beginnings STARS to Quality program is Montana’s voluntary Quality Rating Improvement System, or QRIS. Learn about the STARS to Quality Program, or apply to participate.
View participating programs in our area.
Provider Grants
Provider grants are administered by Child Care Resources for providers in Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli Counties. Providers may apply for a single grant award to fund the following purposes:
- Start Up Funds
- Infant Toddler Expansion Funds
- Emergency/Natural Disaster Funds
Grant applications may range from $500 – $3,000. All grant applications will be reviewed by a committee appointed by CCR. Upcoming application deadlines are October 7, 2019; November 4, 2019; and December 9, 2019.
To find out more information and to apply, please view the Provider Grant Application. Give CCR a call; one of our Professional Development Specialists is available to answer questions. Submit your application to CCR.
Child and Adult Care Food Program
CACFP provides partial meal reimbursements to help you serve nutritious meals to the children in your care. Child Care Resources sponsors the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program for home providers. Centers participate though Montana CACFP via the Early Childhood Services Bureau.
If you are a family or group home child care provider contact us to sign up. We will visit your facility and help you complete the application. We’ll also share resources about the program and about serving nutritious meals. The best part is that you can begin claiming meals for reimbursements the day we visit to sign you up!
If you have a child care center and are interested in enrolling in CACFP, please visit Montana CACFP.
As a provider participating in CACFP you receive four hours of free professional development, which count toward your annual licensing training requirement.
Professional Development Incentive Award for Completion of the Certified Infant/Toddler Course
The Early Childhood Services Bureau (ECSB) offers a one-time incentive award for successful completion of the 60-hour Certified Infant/Toddler Course.
Visit the Montana Early Childhood Project for more information.
Scholarships
The Montana Early Childhood Project has several scholarship programs available to help you achieve your professional development goals as an early childhood professional. For a description of the scholarships and the application process, please visit the Montana Early Childhood Project.