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Montana
Statistics on children, youth and families in Montana from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Montana Budget & Policy Center
Children receiving Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship in Montana
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Definition and Source
PROVIDER
Definition
The number of unduplicated children who receive a Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship.
Best Beginnings offers scholarships to families to help pay for child care from a licensed child care center, licensed group or family child care home, or a Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) child care provider. Families pay a copayment for child care based on a sliding fee scale. A family is eligible for Best Beginnings if they are working and earning less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Guideline or if they receive TANF.
Eligibility guidelines for Best Beginnings have shifted over time. Eligibility was at 150% from the start of reporting (SFY 2019) up until May 2021. Starting June 1, 2021, federal relief money allowed eligibility to increase to 185% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. Eligibility dropped back down to 150% from Jan. 1, 2023-June 30, 2023. Eligibility was raised back up to 185% after passing House Bill 648 and went into effect July 1, 2023.
Best Beginnings offers scholarships to families to help pay for child care from a licensed child care center, licensed group or family child care home, or a Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) child care provider. Families pay a copayment for child care based on a sliding fee scale. A family is eligible for Best Beginnings if they are working and earning less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Guideline or if they receive TANF.
Eligibility guidelines for Best Beginnings have shifted over time. Eligibility was at 150% from the start of reporting (SFY 2019) up until May 2021. Starting June 1, 2021, federal relief money allowed eligibility to increase to 185% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. Eligibility dropped back down to 150% from Jan. 1, 2023-June 30, 2023. Eligibility was raised back up to 185% after passing House Bill 648 and went into effect July 1, 2023.
Data Source
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Early Childhood and Family Support Division
Notes
NA - Data is not reported if the value is <5 including zero in order to protect participant confidentiality.
DATE - Data represent the state fiscal year (July 1-June 30)
NOTES - County data will not sum to state data, as some children receive services in multiple counties throughout the time frame. State data is the distinct number of children within the state receiving Best Beginnings, where county data is the distinct number of children within that county receiving Best Beginnings.
DATE - Data represent the state fiscal year (July 1-June 30)
NOTES - County data will not sum to state data, as some children receive services in multiple counties throughout the time frame. State data is the distinct number of children within the state receiving Best Beginnings, where county data is the distinct number of children within that county receiving Best Beginnings.
Last Updated
December 2023