Announcing the New One-Stop Shop for Montana Child Care Seekers: Child Care Solutions Montana (a program of Family Connections), based in Great Falls, is running the Best Beginnings Child Care Referral Program, a new centralized program that helps Montana families find quality child care in their area. The new system offers the ultimate convenience for families looking for child care.

Last year, an average of 522 children was referred to child care providers each month. Now, the centralized system offers a statewide solution to meet this heavy demand of families looking for quality child care. Instead of calling each child care provider individually to find information such as rates and availability, families can access one website or call one phone number to receive information about licensed/registered providers throughout Montana for FREE. The website is a quick way to find child care providers that meet family needs. Or by calling the toll-free number, one can receive a list of providers after speaking with a referral specialist. Educational materials are offered with a referral covering topics such as choosing quality child care, child development, common child care practices, and child care scholarships. Child Care Solutions Montana works with local child care resource and referral organizations that help parents pay for child care as well.

Child care providers are also encouraged to use the centralized referral center to update their business information in the system, either online or by phone. It is FREE advertising tool for child care providers to get their business information directly to families.

Child Care Solutions Montana has been working for families and child care providers in Great Falls and surrounding counties for the past 24 years. They are one of 11 childcare resource and referral agencies throughout the state. In the past, each did their own referrals for their regions, but the state wanted a centralized solution to increase efficiency and decrease cost. Child Care Solutions Montana received a grant to run the Best Beginnings Child Care Referral Program from the Early Childhood Services Bureau. It is fully operational on February 1, 2011, accepting all family child care referral requests and managing the child care provider database to ensure accurate data is sent to families that contact the referral center. The ultimate goal of the program is to help families find quality child care and educate families about making this most important choice for their child.
“We are working hard to have this service be convenient for Montana families,” said Kim Hawn, Executive Director of Child Care Solutions Montana. “We help families find the best child care for their child through one click or one phone call. With referrals in their local area as well as the information about making this important child care choice, they can go to work with assurance that their children are well cared for and receiving the important early education they need for future success.”

Visit Child Care Solutions Montana’s website at www.ChildCareSolutionsMT.org or call 1-855-406-CARE (2273) or 406-770-3177 (Great Falls, MT) for child care referrals throughout Montana. This project is funded in whole or in part under a contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Kim Hawn, Executive Director of Child Care Solutions Montana