Q: Do I qualify for a Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship?
There are different scholarships available depending on circumstances. Please read each scenario carefully to decide which program may work best for your family.
If you fit into one of the situations described below, you may be eligible for a Non-TANF Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship.
- Are you a single parent working at least 15 hours a week or going to school full-time and working at least 10 hours a week? OR
- Are you a two-parent household working a combined total of 120 hours a month, regardless of school hours? OR
- Are you under the age of 20 and attending a GED program, working on obtaining a diploma, or equivalency program?
Download Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Application Packet
The following paperwork is in the application packet:
- A Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Application.
- Copies of birth certificates and social security cards of all family members listed on the application.
- Two months of current wage stubs for all employed household members.
- Adult Household Member Information
- Child Household Member Information
- School/Training Verification Form if attending school or training.
- Work Verification Form completed and signed by the employers of every employed household member and/or Self Employment Verification for any self-employed household members.
- Child support verification for every child in the house with an absent parent with documentation. If you believe it is in the best interest of the child not to pursue child support, you may make a claim for Good Cause and must provide evidence to support the claim. Making a claim for good cause does not guarantee it will be approved.
- Child Care Service Plan form completed with the licensed, registered, or Legally Certified Provider (LCP) of your choice. If choosing an LCP, a different application must also be completed by the person you choose as soon as possible to ensure no gaps in assistance. Read more about the Best Beginnings LCP program.
- A Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship family is required to report any change that may affect eligibility. You may do this by filling out the Change Report Form.
- Reporting Requirements
- Best Beginnings Recertification Mini-Application
- Applications are available in Spanish on the ECSB site.
For more information about the income guidelines for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship, please visit the Early Childhood Service Bureau.
Do you prefer to have paper copies of the packet? Request the forms to be mailed to you if you live in Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Pondera, Teton, or Toole county or call us at 406-761-6010 or 1-800-696-4503 for further assistance. If you live in any county not listed above, please find and contact your local Resource and Referral Agency as they offer the best service for you and your specified region.
Other Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Opportunities
- You may be eligible for a TANF Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship if you are approved on TANF cash and have met with a WoRC case manager. If your WoRC case manager is approving you for child care assistance, they will refer you to our program by email or fax. A two page TANF application is required and normally completed with your WoRC case manager.
- You may be eligible for the Working Caretaker Relative Child Care Scholarship if you are a family member caring for a child that is related to you but not your own child. This program is only referred to us from an Office of Public Assistance (OPA) worker. Contact the OPA at 406-454-5640 and application requirements are the same for the Non-TANF Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship.
- You may be eligible for the Child Protective Services Child Care Scholarship if you are a foster parent that has activities requiring child care. Your social worker will approve any child care need and send a referral to us. There are no co-payments required for this program.
Q: Are there other scholarships available if I am ineligible for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships?
The Safe Place Scholarship (SPS) is a one-time 6 month program designed to help families ineligible for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship become independent from assistance. You can be awarded up to $500 for the first month, $425 the second month, $350 the third month, $275 the fourth month, $200 the fifth month, and $125 the final month. Any child care used over these amounts listed is the families’ responsibility. Families must reside within Great Falls to be considered. Contact Family Connections at 406-761-6010 or 1-800-696-4503 for rules and regulations.
Safe Place Scholarship application requirements:
- The items listed under the Non-TANF section.
- A one page Safe Place Scholarship application. (PDF file download)
- Safe Place Scholarships will be awarded as available and families will be contacted when they receive a Safe Place Scholarship.
