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Strategy Name Strategy Type(s) Year Funding Amount Funding Source Features at a Glance
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.
  • Expansion
    • Physical Space and Facilities
    2022 $18 million
    CCDBG COVID Relief Allocations – CARES, CRRSE, ARPA (CCDF & Stabilization)
    One-time funding
    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.
    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.
    • Workforce
      • Apprenticeships
      2004
      • CCDBG Non-COVID Funds
      • CCDBG COVID Relief Allocations – CARES, CRRSE, ARPA (CCDF & Stabilization)
      Part of Federal Registered 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.
      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
      • Infrastructure to Support Early Childhood Systems
        • Administrative + Governance Models
        2020 $84 million
        • CCDBG Non-COVID Funds
        • IDEA Part C
        • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding
        • State General Fund
        • State Special Fund
        • Child and Adult Care Food Program
        • Early Learning Advisory Council
        New support division within the Department of Public Health and Human Services
        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
        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

        Public Pre-K Program Name

        N/A Source: NIEER 2023

        Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy

        N/A Source: NIEER 2023

        Early Childhood Education Programs (3-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER, 2023 NIEER, 2023

        Programs

        • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (0%)
        • 3-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (13%)
        • Other/None (87%)

        Early Childhood Education Programs (4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER, 2023 NIEER, 2023

        Programs

        • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (0%)
        • 4-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (15%)
        • Other/None (83%)

        Workforce Link copied!

        2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020

        Role

        • 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)