What's Happening in Montana?

Professional Development Registry

Practitioner Registry. Enrollment on the Practitioner Registry provides recognition for training, education, and work experiences in early care and education. Participants’ placement on the Career Path is acknowledged with a certificate and current training record.

For more information contact The Early Childhood Project (ECP) at 800-213-6310 or 406-994-4746 or by email at ecp@montana.edu

Montana Early Childhood Project Practitioner Registry. This is a professional development registry that lists early child care and education professionals according to their credentials. Information on how to apply is on the website.

For more information call 1-800- 213-6310

Scholarship Programs

Scholarships. Increases the level of early care and education in Montana by awarding scholarships for higher education and infant/toddler training as well as the CDA assessment fee and NAEYC and NFACC accreditation.

For more information contact The Early Childhood Project (ECP) at 800-213-6310 or 406-994-4746 or by email at ecp@montana.edu

Wage Incentives

Provider Merit Pay Awards – This program provides Merit Pay Awards to providers who successful complete a curriculum which includes designing an annual training program and the completion of training.

Awards are distributed on a scale:
Merit Pay I – after submitting a training plan and completing 50 hours of non-credit college approved training, $300 is awarded

Merit Pay II – used as a scholarship program, for college course work in ECE leading to CDA, AA, BA or MA degree. May apply for $750 scholarship paid out upon completion of coursework.

For more information contact Ann Carpenter of the Early Childhood Services Bureau of Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Services at 406-444-3657

Best Beginnings Programs. Infant/Toddler Demonstration Project – after completing 60 hours of I/T training, awards are given to the program. Compensation is based upon the number of I/T they being cared for in a program. Certified caregivers can receive $105 a month per I/T.

For more information contact Linda Kjorstad at 406-657-2067