| Early Childhood Development |
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| Early Childhood Services Bureau Montana’s Early Childhood Services Bureau is dedicated to helping children and families succeed by increasing the affordability, accessibility and quality of early care and education. Family Connections 406-761-6010 Family Connections' Child Care Resource and Referral Program promotes the availability of child care for all families based on accessibility, affordability, and quality in Cascade, Glacier, Pondera, Teton, Chouteau, and Toole counties. Click here to download an application for assistance. More information about the program and guidelines for a mini-grant are available on the website. Montana Association for the Education of Young Children Montana Association for the Education of Young Children improves professional practice and working conditions for all teachers and caregivers of children, birth to eight years, and to build understanding and support for high quality early childhood programs through: the accreditation process and guiding policy, grassroots advocacy efforts, informing communities about current research and the importance of early childhood years, promoting best practices, recognizing quality and accredited programs in Montana. Child Help USA 1-800-4-A-CHILD or 1-800-4-2-24453 Child help exists to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children. We focus our efforts on advocacy, prevention, treatment, and community outreach. Child Abuse Hotline 1-866-820-kids (5437) Montana's Statewide Toll-Free Child Abuse Hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect to the Child & Family Services Division. The purpose of the division is to protect children who have been or are at substantial risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment. We strive to assure that all children have a family who will protect them from harm. We recognize the protective capacities of families and incorporate them in assessments, decision making and actions with the goal of improving safety, permanency and well being for children. We encourage our communities to strengthen their prevention efforts and to share responsibility for the safety of its children and families. Montana Head Start/ State Collaboration Office (406) 444-0589 The Head Start/State Collaboration Office is commissioned to work with Head Start, State Government and all other key partners in building effective Early Childhood Systems that are integrated and comprehensive and that effectively meet the needs of all low income children. If you have ideas, dilemmas, success stories or questions, you may contact the project director at the following information. Mary Jane Standaert; mjstandaert@mt.gov Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK) (406) 255-0540 or 1-800-222-7585 PLUK is a private, nonprofit organization formed by parents of children with disabilities and chronic illnesses in the state of Montana for the purpose of information, support, training and assistance to aid their children at home, school and as adults. PLUK is an organization of parents and other caring individuals who serve families and individuals with disabilities of any age and at no cost. PLUK was founded by parents who felt strongly that parents of children with disabilities need to band together to give each other information and support. It seemed foolish for each new parent to try to learn all over again what other parents already know and would willingly share. It also seemed important for parents to lend each other support because of the healing that takes place when people who share a common problem can work together to find solutions. Directory of Indian Education Programs in Montana Click here to access a pdf file containing a directory of Indian education programs in Montana. Woman Infant Child (WIC) (406) 444-4747 or 1-800-433-4298 Woman Infant Child, also known as Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, helps lower-income women (pregnant, breastfeeding and those who recently had a baby) and infants and children (up to age 5) who are at nutritional health risk. Young Parents Education Center A school-based resource center that assists pregnant and parenting teens and young adults in overcoming barriers to complete their high school education or GED. Child care, parenting education, vocational planning and pregnancy prevention counseling are program components offered to students in Cascade County. Call (406) 268-6665 for more information. Child Support Enforcement The mission of the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is to diligently pursue and ultimately achieve financial and medical support of children by establishing, enforcing, and increasing public awareness of parental obligations. To find an office in your area click here. You can make a payment or look up a recent payment by going to this site. |