Select Page

The Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Program

The Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship (BBS) helps qualified, low-income Montana families pay for licensed/registered child care while they are not available to care for their children:  

  • During work hours;
  • During school or training hours; 
  • If they are a teen parent attending high school; or
  • If they are a parent receiving Temporary Assitance for Needy Families Program (TANF) who is participating in family investment agreement activities

 

Each family participates in the cost of child care by making a co-payment based on the income sliding fee scale. Child Care Connections administers the BBS for the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Learn more about the scholarship and see if you qualify below!

Starting October 1st, 2024, Child Care Resources (CCR) will process all new applications for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship for our current service region.  All families with Best Beginnings cases through Child Care Connections will be transferred to CCR in the upcoming weeks. 

Best Beginnings Logo

Your Family May Qualify If:

Your Household Meets Income Eligibility

Family income, and household size are used to determine eligibility for the Best Beginnings scholarship. You can check if your family qualifies by reviewing the income guidelines.

Eligibility is based on your Gross Monthly Income- which is your total earnings before deductions, including taxes. 

Sliding Fee Scale

You’re Meeting An Activity Requirement

To qualify for the scholarship, families must meet an activity requirement through one of the following activities:

  • Working -or-
  • Attending School/Training

You are meeting the child support requirement through:

    *Child Support is required for ALL children in the household with an absent parent.

    You can learn more about what you need to qualify for the Best Beginnings Scholarship by reviewing our Best Beginnings Application Checklist and Eligibility Overview.

    To review the full Child Care Policy Manual, CLICK HERE

    Our experienced and compassionate family services team at Child Care Connections are available to assist you through the application process. You can reach our team by calling 406-587-7786

    Additional support is available for qualifying families of children with special needs. Learn more about the BBS Special Needs Subsidy HERE.

     

    Best Beginnings Scholarship

    How to Apply

    Apply Online: Create an OKTA account and submit your application online. Get started by clicking HERE

    Print the Application: Find a printable version of the Best Beginnings Application and supporting documents below!

    Application & Attachments
    man and young child playing with blocks

    Best Beginnings Application & Attachments

    Best Beginnings Applications

    Note: Choose the non-TANF application if you are not currently enrolled in TANF

    Best Beginnings Attachments

    Click the links below to access each attachment or form.

     

    A- Adult Household Member Information B- Child Household Member Information
    C- Child Care Service Plan D- Work Verification Release
    E- School and Training Verification Release F- Self-Employment Income Verification
    G- Child Support Verification H- Good Cause Exemption
    Beca Best Beginnings- Solicitud en Espanol

    Solicitud de la Beca Best Beginnings en Español

    Anexos de la Solicitud

    A- Informacion Sobre Los Integrantes Adultos B- Informacion Sobre los Integrantes Menores
    C- Plan de Servicios de Cuidados Infantiles D- Verificacion Laboral
    E- Verificacion de Estudios/Capacitacion F- Verificacion de Ingresos por Trabajo Autonomo
    G- Verificacion de Cuplimiento de la Manutencion del Menor H- Exencion por Motivo Justificado

    For Child Care Providers

    State subsidy programs help eligible families access child care and other resources at a reduced cost. As a  licensed child care provider, you can take part in these programs voluntarily. The Best Beginnings Scholarship Program  can provide your business with another source of income. The scholarship will pay either the provider’s rate or the statewide provider reimbursement rate, whichever is lower. Update your rates by by clicking here. You can find more information, and resources for providers participating in the program below.

     

    Best Beginnings Resources For Providers

    Rights and Responsibilities

    The rights and responsibilities agreement outlines your rights as a provider and explains the responsibilities you assume by participating in the Best Beginnings Scholarship Program.

    Learn More
    Best Beginnings Resources For Providers

    Provider Portal

    Providers can manage Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship claims, access program agreements, and perform online invoicing with the Provider Portal.

    Provider Portal
    Best Beginnings Resources for Providers

    Best Beginnings Scholarship- Provider Checklist

    Make sure you’ve taken all of the steps you need to participate in the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Program.

    How-to Guide
    Get Started