Child Care Connections

CCC reaches out to families to provide trusted, local services and information that enables them to make informed choices about all aspects of care for their children. The following programs can be accessed through CCC: Child Care Scholarships: Family Services supports families in raising healthy children through our child care assistance scholarships. CCC administers the scholarship program to help families with low income with the cost of child care so they can remain in the workforce or attend school. Success is measured by the number of new applications received and, especially, new applications approved. Last year 1,034 children benefited from quality child care due to scholarship assistance.  CCC has also obtained supplemental funding for child care scholarships for families experiencing a catastrophic need, but not eligible for state paid child care assistance. Currently, CCC provides funding assistance for child care to over 565 children in an average month. Provider Services: Research demonstrates that child care providers who receive ongoing training and support offer higher quality care than those who do not. CCC offers a variety of support and training opportunities for area child care providers including: orientation and training in starting a child care program; workshops on a variety of child development, early care and education topics; on-site or individualized training; and training to support programs in meeting the needs of children with disabilities and their families. CCC serves 186 active child care programs reaching over 5,000 children. The child care providers served by CCC are among the highest ranking on the statewide Early Care and Education Practitioner Registry. This registry promotes professionalism and higher education in early care and education. CCC’s efforts have helped area providers achieve national accreditation. Safety Program: With funding support from donors, Child Care Connections is the lead agency for an area safety coalition. We emphasize injury prevention and sponsor car seat clinics along with bike, water and fire child safety events. Food and Nutrition Program: The mission of Child Care Connections’ nutrition program is to reduce hunger and promote lifelong healthy eating habits for children in child care. We provide reimbursement for wholesome meals and nutrition education for parents, children and child care providers. CCC’s nutrition program served 336,071 nutritious meals to children in child care programs in Gallatin, Park, Meagher, Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, and Jefferson Counties. Currently we have 69 child care providers participating in our food and nutrition program.

Child Care Connections advocates for the well-being and quality care of children by supporting early childhood professionals, families and the communities we serve.