APPLY: COVID-19 Special Circumstances Scholarship for Families
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for Montana’s families working to balance professional responsibilities, child care, and changes to schooling. There is widespread uncertainty about options for school-age children as a result of the pandemic. Some families include children or family member with special needs such as health and safety needs, or a lack of child care in their community, which cause them to need in-home child care. This may also include foster and kinship families with unique in-home needs.
Scholarship Opportunity- Available August 19th, 2020
A scholarship is available to help parents offset the costs of in-home care for children aged 0-18 who live in a household with a special circumstance.
The scholarship offers a flat award of $4,000 per eligible family, nothing more and nothing less. This award is to be used for in-home care expenses or in another provider’s home, such as that of a family member, friend, or neighbor who is providing unregulated care for the child(ren).
This scholarship must be awarded and spent by December 31st, 2020, and available first come first served based on available funding.
Follow steps 1 – 4 to apply for this scholarship:
**Note: This funding opportunity is only for MT residents. Check with your state’s Child Care Resource and Referral Network
- Determine which Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency you need to apply through
- Review eligibility criteria HERE
- Note: “Lack of child care available” means that you are unable to find child care due to living in a rural area that has no available licensed child care or there are no licensed child care openings for your child.
- Contact CCC or your local CCR&R agency with questions
- APPLY: Complete scholarship application HERE
- Submit your application to Kami Ryles at kami@cccmontana.org or by placing in the drop box outside our Helena or Bozeman office door
Thank you!
***Note: This funding cannot be used in licensed/regulated family, group, or center child care facilities. It is specific for children and families who cannot attend these facilities due to special circumstances such as health conditions or lack of available child care in their area. If you are experiencing hardship and need help paying for your child to attend care you may be eligible for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship or other emergency child care support.
Understanding the $50 million in funding for child care
On August 11th, 2020, Governor Bullock announced an additional $50 million to support child care and Montana families. This funding will be released by the Early Childhood Services Bureau (ECSB) in four buckets:
- $30 million in grants to maintain and expand child care for school-age children during out of school time
- Available August 19th, 2020, at covidrelief.mt.gov
- $10 million in scholarships for families with special circumstances
- Available August 19th through your local Child Care Resources & Referral Agency (CCR&R), like us- Child Care Connections!
- Apply using the information above!
- $8 million in direct support of licensed child care providers
- Processing will begin on September 1st, 2020, by ECSB. Contact us or, your local CCR&R agency, with questions.
- $2 million for CCR&R agencies for administration and outreach
Click HERE to read Governor Bullock’s full directive.
Are you a family looking for support? Continue reading below.
Child Care Connections is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Child Care Resource and Referral agency serving Gallatin, Park, Meagher, Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater counties. Contact us for more information.
Updated 9.24.20
