(Governor’s Office – Helena) – Montana Governor Greg Gianforte partnered with the Department of Health & Human Services to announce increased support for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Program to help with family childcare costs.
The program is available to qualified low-income families receives childcare through a licensed or registered center, group home, or a Family, Friend & Neighbor provider.
On March 1st, qualified providers accepting BBCCS funds will be eligible for rate increases. An additional 15% premium will be added for providers in high growth counties – Flathead, Gallatin, Missoula, Ravalli, Yellowstone, and Lewis & Clark.
The increase comes from House Bill 648, which Gianforte signed into law during the 2023 legislature.
New rates for qualified:
Centers – half day $28/full day $58 ages 0-3, half day $27.50/full day $55 ages 3-6, half day $25/full day $50 age 6 and older
Group Home – half day $24/full day $48 age 0-3, half day $22.50/full day $45 age 3 and older
Family Home – half day $22.50/full day $45 age 0-3, half day $20/full day $40 age 3 and older
Family, Friend and Neighbor – half day $19.25/full day $38.50 age 0-3, half day $17/full day $34 age 3 and older
Relative care – half day $17/full day #33.75 age 0-3, half day $15/full day $30 age 3 and old
