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Explore and connect to local and state-wide resources.
Explore Resources
As a non-profit organization deeply committed to the well-being of our community, we are here to offer direct support or guide you to the appropriate resource organizations. Scroll down to explore the array of local organizations poised to lend a helping hand. Discover the support you need and let's navigate this journey together.
Resources for Children
Conscious Discipline
A multidisciplinary approach based on three distinct brain-body states in adults and children that drive behavior.
Developmental Milestones
How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves all offer important clues about your child’s development.
PBS Kids
Resources to help you make the most of PBS KIDS and support your child's learning every day.
Zones of regulation
Teach Kids to Manage Big Feelings Through Effective Social Emotional Learning
Imagination Library
FREE Program - Sign your child (ages 0-5) up to receive a book in the mail every month with young children.
NAEYC
Find research-based resources, tips and ideas for families—from child development to reading, writing, music, math, and more!
hand2mind
Trusted by teachers for more than 50 years, hand2mind has created engaging, classroom-tested materials that empower students to learn by doing.
Resources for families
Buy Eat Live Better
Find recipes, resources, and nutrition education classes offered by the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program through MSU.
RAISE Montana
Raise Montana can help families find and evaluate child care, learn about child care regulations, and develop an understanding of child care services.
Family Routine Guide
This guide helps parents and caregivers in developing a plan to support young children who are using challenging behavior.
DPHHS State Licensing
Welcome Families. Child care can be a challenge. We have the programs, resources, and information you need to feel confident making the right child care decisions for your family. Follow this link for a full list of resources for families or use the navigation bar on the right!
Parenting Montana
Easy-to-use tools to support your child’s success from birth through the teen years.
Childcare Providers Dashboard
Did you know that the Bitterroot Valley is classified as a "childcare desert"? This means that there are not nearly enough quality childcare opportunities in the area. Use this map to streamline your search in care.
Time to Get Out and Play
“Time to Get Out and Play- Places to Go, Things to Do, with Tots and Preschoolers in the Bitterroot Valley.” -Syble Solomon
Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship
Montana's Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship to help families with low income cover the cost of Child Care.
WIC
Montana's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Milestone Tracker App
Milestones matter! Track your child’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with CDC’s easy-to-use illustrated checklists; get tips from CDC for encouraging your child’s development; and find out what to do if you are ever concerned about how your child is developing.
Resources for early childhood educators
Raise montana
Raise Montana and your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency offers information and resources designed to help you think through the process and open a successful child care program.
Discounts and Grants
Raise Montana has negotiated discounted rates on supplies and services essential to managing a child care business such as educational materials, cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment, office supplies, and food.
Providing Care In montana
Welcome providers. Building and running a child care business is a big undertaking. Between health and safety standards, best business practices, enrollment, and finances, it can feel overwhelming. That's where the State office of child care comes in. We have the resources, programs and information you need to make caring for children more approachable.
Montana Milestones Part C Early Intervention Program
Montana Milestones/Part C of the IDEA Early Intervention Program is Montana’s comprehensive system of early intervention services and supports for families who have infants or toddlers, from birth through three who have significant developmental delays or disabilities or have been diagnosed with an established condition associated with significant delays in development.
child and adult care food program
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program of the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The CACFP provides cash reimbursements for meals served to enrolled participants that meet Federal nutritional guidelines outlined in the CACFP meal pattern.
Best Beginnings STARS to Quality
The Best Beginnings STARS to Quality Program is a voluntary quality rating and improvement system that aligns quality indicators with support and incentives for early childhood programs and early childhood professionals.
The Pyramid Model
The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices for promoting young children’s social and emotional development.
Montana Early Learning Standards
The Montana Early Learning Standards reflects the passionate, engaged, and effective collaboration of early childhood experts and leaders from across the state representing a variety of interests, knowledge, and experience in the care and education of young children.
zero to five montana
Working collaboratively with communities, tribes, policymakers, employers, parents and others, Zero to Five Montana promotes a nonpartisan agenda to advance early childhood policy strategies through innovative approaches and sustainable solutions.
Montana child care business connect
Montana Child Care Business Connect (MCCBC) supports the start, stability, viability, and expansion of high-quality, early childcare businesses in Montana and helps cultivate child care business stability and sustainability.
child care resources
The Bitterroot valleys closest appointed Resource and referral Agency.
get involved with local & state advocacy
State Legislative
Stay up to date on early childhood issues during the 2025 Legislative Session with Zero to Five Montana!
why policy matters
Whether through child care assistance for low-income families or providing resources for new and expecting parents, sound policies make a valuable difference in the lives of families with young children. By prioritizing children and families, we can ensure that parents have what they need to care for their children and can get to work, allowing businesses to have a strong, reliable workforce while our economy strengthens.
taking action
Taking action is an important step to ensuring that each and every Montanan knows the value of early childhood. By contacting your elected officials, sharing your story, or becoming a champion for early childhood – we know you can make a difference in the lives of young children across our great state.
early childhood advocacy toolkit
What comes to mind when you hear the word “advocacy?” A lobbyist in Washington, DC? A political rally with thousands of participants? Or perhaps a state senator speaking on the Senate floor about the concerns of her community? These are all examples of advocacy, as are other types of actions that most of us take every day.
Bitterroot Early Childhood Coalition
Quality early childhood education is the foundation for a thriving community. We are committed to advocating for accessible, affordable, and high-quality child care for all families. Join us in our efforts by becoming a part of the Bitterroot Early Childhood Coalition.
MTAEYC
Through informed advocacy and best practice, we support all avenues of Early Childhood to ensure a thriving society for Montana’s generations to come.
montana advocates for children
Montana Advocates for Children (MAC) is a coalition of early childhood stakeholders committed to ensuring all Montana families and children have access to a robust and coordinated early care and education system.
Montana Legal Services Association
Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) provides free civil legal assistance to low-income Montanans.
Assist in legal services such as evictions, collections, family law, and more
If you are interested in connecting with MLSA to see if they can assist you, please download and complete the form below and upload back to our website.
Staff member will receive your completed form and someone from MLSA will be in touch with you
Questions? Contact us at 406-728-6446 and ask to speak with our Family Engagement Specialist agent.