Child Care Connections
Special Needs Resources
Getting Started
Let’s Talk about Early Intervention
What is early intervention?
The services and supports that are available to babies and young children with developmental delays and disabilities. Services may include speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy based on the child’s needs. Early intervention services can change a child’s developmental path and improve outcomes. Families benefit from these services by being able to better meet their children’s needs from an early age and throughout their lives.
How do I find out if my child is eligible for services?
Eligibility for early intervention is based on an evaluation of your child’s skills and abilities.
If your child is under age 3: connect with Family Outreach, our region’s provider for Montana Milestones Part C of the IDEA Early Intervention Program.
If your child is 3 or older: call any local public elementary school (even if your child does not go to school there), and say “I have concerns about my child’s development and would like to have my child evaluated for special education services”
Where can I learn more about early intervention services in Montana?
Montana Milestones is Montana’s comprehensive system of early intervention services and supports for families who have children ages 0-3. You can learn more about Montana’s eligibility criteria, the evaluation process, and how to make a referral on their page!
Supporting Children with Special Needs
in the Child Care Setting
The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees that children with disabilities cannot be excluded from public accommodations simply because of a disability. This gives families the opportunity to work or go to school as other families do, and gives children with disabilities the opportunity to play, learn and grow with other children. Child care providers have the responsibility to make reasonable accommodations for children with disabilities, developmental delays, and special needs. Child Care Connections offers services and resources to support children and early education professionals, including:
Lending Library
We all want children to feel included, loved, and successful in early learning environments. The Special Needs Lending Library allows early childhood professionals to try different adaptive materials to meet the unique needs of children in the classroom setting. Learn more about our library here.
Special Needs Subsidy
The Special Needs Subsidy helps families and child care providers meet the individualized needs of children in the childcare setting. Funds can be used for expenses such as adaptive equipment, specialized training, and technical assistance needed to support the child’s unique needs. Learn more below!
Guidance and Support
Child Care Connections’ team can offer guidance to help providers accommodate the unique needs of children in your program. We are available to offer strategies and practices that support compliance with the ADA. Give us a call and ask for technical assistance or to schedule an observation (with parental permission).
Special Needs
Subsidy Program
The Best Beginnings Special Needs Subsidy programs offers extra financial support to families and child care providers caring for children with special needs.
What is the Special Needs Subsidy?
The Special Needs Subsidy Program provides supplemental child care subsidies to help families and child care providers meet realistic cost of individualized care. Funds may be used for expenses such as adaptive equipment, tuition for specialized training, and individualized technical assistance needed to learn caregiving routines for the child.
How do I know if my child qualifies?
Montana’s Special Needs Subsidy Program is part of the overall state child care subsidy program available for low-income families. A family must qualify for the Best Beginnings Scholarship in order to be considered for a Special Needs Subsidy. There must also be documentation of the child’s disability or special need which can include an IEP, IFSP, 504 Plan, or written documentation from a medical professional.
Where can I find more information?
If you are a provider or family who would benefit from more information about the Special Needs Subsidy program, you can learn more by contacting Kami Ryles at Kami@cccmontana.org.
Special Needs Resources
Where to go for Information
If you are a provider or a family who would benefit from information regarding the Montana Special Needs Subsidy Program, contact Sarah Peterson, CCC’s Family Engagement Coordinator at (406) 587-7786 or sarah@cccmontana.or
