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Childcare Scholarships

Do I Qualify for the Non-TANF Best Beginnings Scholarship?

Single Parent Household:

• Are you working at least 15 hours a week? or
• Are you going to school full-time and working at least 10 hours a week?

Two-Parent Household:

• Are you working a combined 120 hours a month, regardless of school hours?
  

TEEN Parent Household:

• Are you under the age of 20 and attending a GED program, working on obtaining a diploma, or equivalency program?
  

To apply for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship, the following paperwork is needed:

1. An application.
   
2. Copies of birth certificates and social security cards of all family
   members listed on the application.
   
   
3. Two months of current wage stubs for all employed household members.
   
   
4. Class schedule if attending school.
   
   
5. Child support documentation for every child with an absent parent. Acceptable documentation must be a compliance checklist from the Child Support Enforcement Division or a copy of a current court-ordered parenting plan and copies of the last three month’s payments made by check or money order. If neither of these options work for you, please call Family Connections about Good Cause. This option is to help families that may be harmed by the absent parent if child support is pursued.
   
   
6. The Work Verification forms completed and signed by the employers of every employed household member.
   
   
7. The Child Care Service Plan form completed with the licensed, registered, or Legally Unregistered Provider (LUP) of your choice. If choosing a LUP, a different application must also be completed by the person you choose as soon as possible to ensure no gaps in assistance.

Click here to download and print an application.  If you would like an application sent to you by mail, please fill out this form or call us at 406-761-6010 or 1-800-696-4503.

Do I qualify for the Safe Place Scholarship Program (SPS)?

This program 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.  Please contact Family Connections for policies and procedures.

Application requirements:

1. The items listed under the Non-TANF section numbers 1-7.
2. A one page Safe Place Scholarship application.

Safe Place Scholarships will be awarded as available and families will be contacted when they receive a Safe Place Scholarship.

Click here for the SPS Application.

Do I qualify for the TANF Best Beginnings Scholarship?

• Are you 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.

Application requirements: 

1. A two page TANF application that normally is completed with your WoRC case manager.

Do I qualify for the Working Caretaker Relative Child Care scholarship program?

• Have you met with an Office of Public Assistance (OPA) worker and they have referred you to us for child care?

If your OPA case manager has approved you for child care assistance they will refer you to our program by email or fax.

Application requirements: 

1. A two page Working Caretaker Relative application.
2. A Working Caretaker Relative Work Verification form completed and signed by the employers of every employed household member.

Do I qualify for the Child Protective Services Child Care program?

• Are you a foster parent that has activities where child care is needed?

If your DPHHS Child and Family Services Division (CFSD) social worker is going to approve child care, a referral will be sent to us. There are no co-payments required for this program.

Application requirements:

1. There is not an application for this program.

How is my childcare provider chosen?

You choose your own Licensed or Registered child care provider. These providers meet Montana’s basic regulations regarding child development, health, and safety. Generally, your child care provider receives a direct payment from the state if you are approved for one of our child care assistance programs.

Can I choose a family member or friend as my provider?

Family members and friends are often eligible to be paid as “Legally Unregistered” child care providers through the Best Beginnings Scholarship program. If your provider is not registered or licensed, they need to complete a Legally Unregistered Provider application and pass child & adult protective service and criminal background checks. Family Connections can help with this process.
Legally Unregistered Provider Information here.

Do I pay any child care cost to my provider?

Families using scholarships also make co-payments to providers.  These co-payments are on a sliding fee scale beginning at $10 per month and increasing based on family size and income.  Family Connections has the most current figures.  Families must pay their providers the required co-payment and any other fee or charges that may exceed the region’s reimbursement rates.

How is my child care provider paid?

A preprinted invoice is mailed to the child care provider each month.  Child care providers receive one invoice for every eligible family in their care.  The invoice lists the family’s children for whom care will be paid, the certification end date, and the amount of the family’s co-payment.  The hours billed on the invoice must reflect the child’s actual attendance rounded to the nearest ¼ hours as it relates to approved activities

The child care provider must enter the daily attendance hours for each child and co-payment received.  The invoice must be completed, signed, and dated by the child care provider.  Future rate changes may be indicated on the invoice.  However, please allow 10 days for rate changes to become effective so the child care resource and referral can enter them into the CCUBS computer system.

Child care providers must mail or deliver printed invoices to Family Connections.  Invoices are due to Family Connections’ office within 5 days following the month in which care was provided.  Invoices expire 60 days after the month of service.  Providers must submit invoices and any corrections within 60 days or they lose their claim for a Best Beginning Scholarship payment.  If there is a problem with your payment, please contact Family Connections before 60 days after the month in question.

Providers may charge the State based on a daily rate, which is for 6-10 hours per day, or an hourly rate that is less than 6 hours per day.  There are separate rates for children below the age of two (infant rate) and for children above the age of two (child rate).  The state reimburses providers serving families who are determined eligible for a Best Beginnings Scholarship.

How do I know when I am approved for a Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship?

Family Connections will send a copy of the family’s child care certification plan to the family and to the child care provider when the family has been approved to receive a Best Beginnings Scholarship.  The certification plan shows the days and hours of care, the beginning date and ending date of care, the children authorized for care, and the co-payment amount.

The certification plan shows the minimum benefit available to the family.  The provider may bill only for actual attendance, rounded to the nearest ¼ hour each day as it relates to approved activities.  The provider is not entitled to bill for certified hours, unless the child attends.  There are specific policy exceptions, such as CE days, holidays, or a pre-approved hold-the-slot payment.

Child care providers will receive a new child care certification plan if there are changes.  Read the certification plan carefully.  Contact Family Connections if you have any questions.  Family Connections has not officially authorized child care unless you have received a written child care certification plan.

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