The COVID-19 Pandemic has created unique challenges for Montana’s families who are working to balance returning to the workforce with childcare and support needs. The scholarship is available for families with children aged 0-18.  The scholarship aims to provide opportunity for families that include children or family members with special needs which may include health or safety needs requiring in-home care. This may also include foster families and kinship families with unique in-home needs.

*Note* Just because there is no ‘in person school’ is not necessarily a special circumstance.  The intent of the scholarship is to provide a solution for those unique, special circumstances that cannot be served under the school or traditional child care model.

A Special Circumstance Scholarship is available to help parents offset costs for children aged 0-18, such as individualized or specialized care, respite, increased food and supply costs for in-home childcare, increased cleaning needs, and support for remote learning.

The scholarship amount is $4,000 per family and may be used for care in their home or in another provider’s home, such as a family member, a friend, or a neighbor.  Scholarships must be awarded and spent by December 31, 2020 and are based on available funding.  The Child Care Resource and Referral Agency may ask for additional documentation of the special circumstance.

Please contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency or visit https://dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/ChildCare/ChildCareResourceandReferral for more information.