Montana Child Care Retention and Recruitment Child Care Assistance for Child Care Workers
Are you a parent or guardian working in child care and need assistance paying for your own child/children’s care?
A one-time only child care assistance program is available for eligible childcare employees through the Montana Bright Futures Birth to Five Grant (BF B-5). Applications can be submitted beginning September 15, 2023, through your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency
Funding is limited and applications are processed on a first come first serve basis.
Am I an eligible child care worker?
• At least one parent/ guardian in the household must be a staff member working at a child care facility. Additionally, the staff member must:
o Work directly with children in care,
o Work at the child care facility for sixty hours per month, and
o Meet health and safety requirements to work at the child care facility.
What are the other requirements for this program?
• Family must live in Montana.
• Family income at or below 250% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) receive priority funding,
• Children must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien.
• Children must be under 12 years old to be eligible for paid child care.
• Parents with children under 18 must comply with child support if there is an absent parent.
• Child care must be provided by a child care provider licensed/registered by the State of Montana. A child cannot attend a child care facility owned by a parent.
What are the benefits of this program?
• A family will only have up to $100 monthly copayment.
• A family is eligible for 12 months.
• A child care provider will be paid the monthly authorized amount if a child attends at least one day each month. This ensures a child will have a child care slot with the provider.
To apply or for more information:
• Go to https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/childcare/montanaearlychildhoodsystem
• Application