BOZEMAN, MT — HRDC is pleased to announce its current enrollment season is underway for the upcoming school year for preschool students ages 3-5. This no-cost Early Childhood Education program (ECE) is funded through a Head Start grant which provides space for 152 children in three dedicated schools located in Bozeman, Belgrade, and Livingston.

Designed to prepare students for kindergarten through a play-based learning approach in a natural environment, 94% of HRDC’s ECE graduates meet or exceed school readiness standards. Each child’s curriculum is individualized within an inclusive learning setting that supports all children, including those with disabilities.

“Our staff is second to none,” said Sara Savage, HRDC’s Associate Director and Director of Early Childhood Education. “The team of educators we have is highly qualified with each teacher holding a bachelor’s degree or higher in childhood education. In addition, our licensed, award-winning schools include hands-on support from classroom aides, nutrition aides, and volunteers from our parent community. Each student’s needs are met from a whole-child perspective which includes developmental screenings and early intervention protocols as necessary.”

Kathy Piatz, HRDC’s Early Childhood Education Program Manager added, “We know children thrive when they have a strong support system inside and outside their home. That’s why we are focused on providing for the healthy development of children and the strengthening of their families through parent education opportunities, family events, and more. We make time to build relationships with our students’ families. The more involvement during the early education years,the better the outcome is for children throughout their entire education journey including the college enrollment stage.”

Annual community-wide demand for placement in HRDC’s ECE program has been historically strong. Family eligibility is income-based and includes households with incomes below 130% of the Federal Poverty Line. However, for those families experiencing homelessness or economic hardship, or who are without stable housing, or who receive Social Security Income or public assistance such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or SNAP (Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program), eligibility is automatic. This also holds true for children living with foster parents or who are in the care of a family member other than a parent. Approved eligibility spans two years regardless of any change to a household’s situation. For families that exceed the income eligibility threshold, a waitlist is kept should openings become available.

Further augmenting Head Start students’ success is an underlying program tenet which provides family members and other connected community members with opportunities to expand their own knowledge and skillsets. This is offered through various channels including employment opportunities at the schools themselves as well as financial support for staff members to obtain teaching certification and other related degrees. At least a dozen current HRDC Early Childhood Education staff members currently have, or have had children in the program, and many of them have received support to further their own education — a true win for families and the community at large.

Interested applicants can visit https://thehrdc.org/early-childhood-education/ for an online application or call 406-586-9652 for more information. Applications are in English and Spanish,and interpreters are available upon request. To learn more about employment opportunities, visit: https://hrdc.bamboohr.com/jobs/.

For families impacted by Covid and in need of financial support with childcare, HRDC applied for and received an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) grant from the City of Bozeman which allows families to access between $200 and $500 per month to help offset childcare costs. The funds can be utilized at any licensed childcare provider and families receive no-cost financial coaching while participating in the assistance. Eligibility for this program is also income-dependent and families with the greatest need are prioritized. Applications for childcare assistance administered by HRDC can be obtained by contacting hdavid@thehrdc.org.

HRDC is a private, not-for-profit Community Action Organization focused on building a better community through its nearly 50 initiatives aimed at combatting poverty in southwestern Montana. HRDC’s Early Childhood Education program believes every child deserves a head start and provides services in education, health, nutrition, mental  health, and disability support.

Donors, volunteers, and community members can learn more at https://thehrdc.org/