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!
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.
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:
- Cooperation with the Child Support Services Division (CSSD), or
- A court-approved parenting plan, or
- Approval for a Good Cause Exemption
*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
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
Visit Our Office: Best Beginnings Scholarship applications can be found at our Helena and Bozeman office locations during business hours. You can also call our offices to request an application by mail. Find our location near you by clicking HERE.
Print the Application: Find a printable version of the Best Beginnings Application and supporting documents below!
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.
Beca Best Beginnings- Solicitud en Espanol
Solicitud de la Beca Best Beginnings en Español
Anexos de la Solicitud
Child Care Connections
Our Donors
Every donation to Child Care Connections is an investment in the future of our communities. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Child Care Connections counts on our donors to support our work. Learn more about our current donors and how to join in their support today!