Montana
Overview Link copied!
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| Strategy Name | Strategy Type(s) | Year | Funding Amount | Funding Source | Features at a Glance | |
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Child Care Innovation and Infrastructure Grants
In 2022, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced $18 million for the Child Care Innovation and Infrastructure Grants program, funded by the American Rescue Plan. The 31 Recipients, with grants ranging from $142,000 to $1 million, included child care providers, health care organizations, community groups and local governments working to improve child care affordability, increase access, and provide high-quality, sustainable services. The funding was intended to target areas with significant observed shortages of child care capacity (“child care deserts”), defined as any geographic area where child care supply meets less than a third of the potential demand; care during nontraditional hours; or increasing access for infants, toddlers and vulnerable populations.
Learn More: child care innovation and infrastructure grants
Source:
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Child care innovation and infrastructure grants.Silvers, M. (2022). Montana Free Press. Montana child care providers to receive $18 million in federal grants.
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2022 | $18 million |
CCDBG COVID Relief Allocations – CARES, CRRSE, ARPA (CCDF & Stabilization)
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One-time funding
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In 2022, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced $18 million for the Child Care Innovation and Infrastructure Grants program, funded by the American Rescue Plan. The 31 Recipients, with grants ranging from $142,000 to $1 million, included child care providers, health care organizations, community groups and local governments working to improve child care affordability, increase access, and provide high-quality, sustainable services. The funding was intended to target areas with significant observed shortages of child care capacity (“child care deserts”), defined as any geographic area where child care supply meets less than a third of the potential demand; care during nontraditional hours; or increasing access for infants, toddlers and vulnerable populations.
Learn More: child care innovation and infrastructure grants
Source:
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Child care innovation and infrastructure grants.Silvers, M. (2022). Montana Free Press. Montana child care providers to receive $18 million in federal grants.
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Montana Early Childhood Account
In June 2025, the Montana State Legislature passed House Bill 924 with bipartisan support, establishing the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust (GO Trust), a $930 million, four-year fund to manage and allocate state revenues for various initiatives, including a Montana Early Childhood Account. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) will determine how the funds are used and will create a board to oversee the program.
The legislation authorized a one-time transfer of $10 million to the Early Childhood Account, which will then receive 10% of the GO Trust’s interest earnings. In the second, third, and fourth years of the program, the Early Childhood Account is projected to receive $2.3 million, $2.8 million, and $3.2 million, respectively, from the GO Trust’s interest earnings. The account can also receive private donations. A newly created board, which includes state officials, representatives from state and local community organizations, child care providers, and a parent, will determine how to use the funds.
Funds from the Montana Early Childhood Account are expected to: help recruit and retain child care workers, support infants and children with special needs, and make child care more affordable by expanding child care subsidy programs. The fund may also be used to improve early learning environments, increase the accessibility of before- and after-school care, and offer emergency assistance and disaster relief for child care programs.
learn more: montana early childhood account
Sources:
Montana Budget & Policy Center. (2025, August 11). The Growth & Opportunity (GO) Trust: An Overview.
Zero to Five Montana. (2025, June). Montana Prioritizes Long-Term Investment in Early Childhood.
Montana House Bill 924. (2025).
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2025 | One-time transfer of $10 million; will then receive 10% of interest earnings |
State Dedicated Funding Stream
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Funds from the Montana Early Childhood Account are expected to help recruit and retain child care workers, support infants and children with special needs, and make child care more affordable by expanding child care subsidy programs
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In June 2025, the Montana State Legislature passed House Bill 924 with bipartisan support, establishing the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust (GO Trust), a $930 million, four-year fund to manage and allocate state revenues for various initiatives, including a Montana Early Childhood Account. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) will determine how the funds are used and will create a board to oversee the program.
The legislation authorized a one-time transfer of $10 million to the Early Childhood Account, which will then receive 10% of the GO Trust’s interest earnings. In the second, third, and fourth years of the program, the Early Childhood Account is projected to receive $2.3 million, $2.8 million, and $3.2 million, respectively, from the GO Trust’s interest earnings. The account can also receive private donations. A newly created board, which includes state officials, representatives from state and local community organizations, child care providers, and a parent, will determine how to use the funds.
Funds from the Montana Early Childhood Account are expected to: help recruit and retain child care workers, support infants and children with special needs, and make child care more affordable by expanding child care subsidy programs. The fund may also be used to improve early learning environments, increase the accessibility of before- and after-school care, and offer emergency assistance and disaster relief for child care programs.
learn more: montana early childhood account
Sources:
Montana Budget & Policy Center. (2025, August 11). The Growth & Opportunity (GO) Trust: An Overview.
Zero to Five Montana. (2025, June). Montana Prioritizes Long-Term Investment in Early Childhood.
Montana House Bill 924. (2025).
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Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program
Established in 2004, the Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (MECAP) provides on-the-job training, mentorship, and college coursework to support early childhood education providers. After completing the program, apprentices receive a Child Care Development Specialist Certificate and reach Level 4 of Montana's Practitioner Registry. MECAP is a Registered Apprenticeship Program, an on-the-job, paid training model that is validated through the U.S. Department of Labor or a state agency. MECAP started with temporary funds from Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). After the temporary funds were depleted, funding came from the federal Child Care Development Fund, administered by DPHHS. MECAP is a cross-organization partnership coordinated and organized by multiple state agencies, including Montana's Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), the Early Childhood Services Bureau, and Montana State University's Early Childhood Program.
Learn More: Montana Early Childhood Project
Sources:
Child Trends. (2019). Spotlight on the Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program.
Montana Early Childhood Project. (n.d.). Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program Childcare Development Specialist.
Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. (2020). Apprenticeship Programs, by State/Territory, 2020.
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2004 |
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Part of Federal Registered Apprenticeship Program
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Established in 2004, the Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (MECAP) provides on-the-job training, mentorship, and college coursework to support early childhood education providers. After completing the program, apprentices receive a Child Care Development Specialist Certificate and reach Level 4 of Montana's Practitioner Registry. MECAP is a Registered Apprenticeship Program, an on-the-job, paid training model that is validated through the U.S. Department of Labor or a state agency. MECAP started with temporary funds from Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). After the temporary funds were depleted, funding came from the federal Child Care Development Fund, administered by DPHHS. MECAP is a cross-organization partnership coordinated and organized by multiple state agencies, including Montana's Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), the Early Childhood Services Bureau, and Montana State University's Early Childhood Program.
Learn More: Montana Early Childhood Project
Sources:
Child Trends. (2019). Spotlight on the Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program.
Montana Early Childhood Project. (n.d.). Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program Childcare Development Specialist.
Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. (2020). Apprenticeship Programs, by State/Territory, 2020.
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Montana’s Early Childhood and Family Support Division
Launched in 2020, Montana’s Early Childhood and Family Support Division in the Department of Public Health and Human Services brings together the states' Child Care and Development Fund, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Head Start Collaboration Office, and Early Learning Advisory Council. The Early Childhood Services Bureau’s mission is to improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of early care and education in Montana, with a focus on creating coordinated systems that meet the needs of young children, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
Learn More: Montana Early Childhood and Family Support Division
Sources: Montana Early Childhood and Family Support Division (2023) Bipartisan Policy Center (2023). Integrated Efficient Early Care and Education Systems
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2020 | $84 million |
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New support division within the Department of Public Health and Human Services
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Launched in 2020, Montana’s Early Childhood and Family Support Division in the Department of Public Health and Human Services brings together the states' Child Care and Development Fund, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Head Start Collaboration Office, and Early Learning Advisory Council. The Early Childhood Services Bureau’s mission is to improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of early care and education in Montana, with a focus on creating coordinated systems that meet the needs of young children, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
Learn More: Montana Early Childhood and Family Support Division
Sources: Montana Early Childhood and Family Support Division (2023) Bipartisan Policy Center (2023). Integrated Efficient Early Care and Education Systems
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Demographics Link copied!
Demographics Data Scorecard
State population
1,122,867 Source U.S. Census, 2022
Rural %
46.6% Source U.S. Census, 2020
Urban %
53.4% Source U.S. Census, 2020
Number of children 0–4
58,251 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Poverty levels - children 0—8 below 200% poverty
38% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Median family income among households with children
$81,900.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Unemployment rate
3.1% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2024
Unemployment rate of parents
2% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force
N/A
Children living in households with a high housing cost burden
22% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Child Population by Race and Ethnicity
Race and Ethnicity
- American Indian and Alaska Native (9%)
- Asian (1%)
- Black or African American (1%)
- Hispanic or Latino (7%)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (.5%)
- Two or more races (5%)
- White, not Hispanic or Latino (77%)
| Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
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| Governor | R | R | R | D | D |
| State House | R | R | R | R | R |
| State Senate | R | R | R | R | R |
Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!
Early Childhood Education Programs Source NIEER, 2023
| Program Name | Program Length* | Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy | State Spending Per Child |
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| N/A Source: NIEER 2023 | N/A Source: NIEER 2023 |
3-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023
Programs
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Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K
0% (2021), 0% (2022), 0% (2023) - Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start
- Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education
- Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None
4-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023
Programs
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Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K
0% (2021), 0% (2022), 0% (2023) - Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start
- Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education
- Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None
Workforce Link copied!
2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020
Role
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Child Care Workers
$10.29 (2017, adjusted)
$10.84 (2019) -
Preschool Teachers
$14.54 (2017, adjusted)
$14.4 (2019) -
Preschool or Child Care Center Directors
$19.14 (2017, adjusted)
$20.18 (2019)
Funding Sources Link copied!
Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in Millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2024
Funding Source
- Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($55.9)
- CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($32)
- CCDBG State Match ($3.8)
- MIECHV ($5)
- IDEA Part C ($2.6)
- IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($1.3)
- TANF Early Learning and Care ($1.8)
- Preschool Development Grant Birth ($8)