Montana Best Beginnings Childcare Scholarship for Kinship Caregivers

Two Childcare Programs, Two Sets of Rules

Montana runs two separate childcare assistance pathways for relative caregivers, and which one applies depends on whether the child receives a TANF grant.

Working Caretaker Relative Child Care is for caregivers who are already receiving a child-only TANF cash grant for the child. You must be employed at least 60 hours per month (or 120 hours combined for a two-caretaker household), and your household net income must stay under 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. The copay is a flat $75 per month, paid directly to the childcare provider. This covers children up to age 12, or up to 18 with special needs.

Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship is for caregivers who do not receive TANF for the child. Income must be less than 185% FPL, and you need to be participating in approved work or school activities. The copay is calculated on a sliding fee scale based on your income and household size — lower income means a lower copay.

Which One Should You Apply For First

If you are raising a grandchild or relative's child and working, the strategic sequence matters. Apply for the child-only TANF grant first. If approved, the Working Caretaker Relative program becomes available at the flat $75/month copay and a more generous 250% FPL income ceiling. Without TANF, Best Beginnings has the stricter 185% FPL cutoff and a variable copay.

Both programs are administered through DPHHS — the Working Caretaker path through local OPA offices, and Best Beginnings through regional Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies.

What the Scholarship Covers

Both programs subsidize the cost of licensed childcare. The subsidy goes directly to the provider, and you pay only the required copay. Eligible providers include licensed childcare centers, registered family home providers, and approved in-home caregivers.

The child must be age 12 or younger (or up to 18 with special needs). The caregiver must demonstrate an ongoing need for childcare tied to employment, job training, or education.

Montana's Quality System

Montana's Treasures is the rebuilt Quality Recognition System for childcare providers, launched October 1, 2026. It replaced the earlier STARS to Quality program. The quality rating does not change scholarship eligibility — you can use the scholarship at any licensed provider regardless of their Treasures level — but higher-rated providers may have waitlists.

Applying

For the Working Caretaker Relative program, apply through your local Office of Public Assistance as part of the TANF process. For Best Beginnings, contact your regional CCR&R agency. You will need proof of employment or enrollment, income documentation, and the child's identifying information.

The Financial Help for Grandparents and Relatives Raising a Child in Montana guide walks through both childcare programs alongside TANF, SNAP, and health coverage — including the document checklist and the strategic order of applications that maximizes what you qualify for.

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