Since 1985, the Montana Early Childhood Project (ECP) has been dedicated to improving the quality of programs and services for Montana's young children and their
families. The ECP is housed in Montana State University's Department of Health and Human Development.

Since 1995 the ECP has facilitated the creation and implementation of a state plan for early care and education career development. The ECP is funded through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Early Childhood Services Bureau from the federal Child Care and Development Fund. The ECP works closely with partner organizations across the state to promote early childhood professional development. On a national level, the ECP is actively involved in the National Registry Alliance and other organizations to promote a knowledgeable and skilled early childhood workforce.

Project History

• Helped create a statewide network of Child Care Resource and Referral Programs with initial funding from the Northwest Area Foundation and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
   
• Prepared A Guide to Dependent Care Options for Montana employers with funding from US WEST Foundation.
   
• Provided statewide telecommunication training programs for early care and education practitioners and parents with funding from US WEST Foundation and a partnership with Montana Public Television, MSU Extension Service, the Montana Child Care Resource and Referral Network and others.
   
• Developed a model employer-sponsored family care network with the support of Patagonia/Lost Arrow Corporation.
   
• Coordinated the Montana Early Childhood Collaboration grant with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
   
• Coordinated statewide public information campaigns about the importance of the early years with funding from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Best Beginnings program.

  Overview

  In 1995, the Early Childhood Project facilitated the creation and implementation of a state plan for early care and education career development. These early efforts came about through the ECP's coordination of a task force representing the child care/early childhood community, professional organizations, child care resource and referral agencies, higher education and state government.

  In January 1998, the ECP was funded to manage and oversee Early Care and Education Career Development activities in Montana. Career Development is funded through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services from the federal Child Care and Development Fund. The ECP manages The Montana Practitioner Registry, the Training Approval System, the Trainer Directory, scholarships for program accreditation and Child Development Associate (CDA) assessment, conducts research and works with partners to enhance professional development opportunities across the state and nationally.

  The goals of career development are to:

  • Define what practitioners need to know to enhance and improve their work with young children and families.
  • Develop a formalized multi-leveled education and training framework for the early childhood profession.
  • Ensure that training is high quality and meets the needs of practitioners.
  • Provide equal access to education and training through innovative delivery and a coordinated system of planning, promoting and implementing learning opportunities.
  • Promote recognition and increased compensation by formal documentation of practitioners' professional development.
  • Help parents make informed choices about early care and education.
  • Link professional development to other quality initiatives in Montana.

  ---

  Career Development Advisory Board
  
  The Advisory Board grew out of the initial task force convened to envision and plan for an Early Care and Education Career Development program. The Board meets twice each year and the representation includes:

  • Montana Child Care Resource and Referral Network
  • Higher Education
  • Montana Child Care Association
  • Montana Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Head Start State Collaboration Project
  • Head Start Association
  • Child Care plus+ of the University of Montana
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program
  • Montana Department of Labor and Industry
    • Apprenticeship Program and Training
  • Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
    • Early Childhood Services Bureau
    • Quality Assurance Division
  • Office of Public Instruction

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Updated 11/15/2005