▶ BEST BEGINNINGS CHILD CARE SCHOLARSHIP

Get help paying for child care

Family Connections offers financial assistance to qualifying families to help pay for child care through the Montana Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship. 

Who is eligible?

Families earning less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level with children in licensed care, including centers, family homes, group providers, and Family Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care are eligible. Income and co-payments are determined by the Child Care Sliding Fee Scale. Co-payments are paid directly to your child care provider.


Parents must be participating in eligible activities:

  • Two-parent families working at least 120 hours per month.
  • Single-parent families working at least 60 hours per month.
  • Single-parent families or two-parent families in which all parents attend school/training full time do not have to meet a work requirement.
  • Single parent or two-parent families in which one or more of the parents attend school/training part time must meet a work requirement that accounts for the education/training.
  • Teen parents must be attending high school or a high school equivalency program.
  • Child care assistance authorization is based on the child's need for care.

  • Create an iDMe account

    You'll need an iDMe account to access the MACCS application portal. Visit iDMe.gov and create a free account using your email address.

  • Find the MACCS application

    Log in to MACCS at maccs.mt.gov using your iDMe credentials. Select 'Apply for Child Care Assistance' from the dashboard.

  • Choose the BBS Parent Portal

    Within MACCS, select the Best Beginnings Scholarship (BBS) Parent Portal option to begin your child care assistance application.

  • Log in and enter your information

    Complete all required fields including household size, income, employment or training status, and your child's information.

  • Submit and track your case

    After submitting, you'll receive a confirmation number. You can log back in to MACCS to check your case status at any time.

How to apply for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship

The application is online through the state's MAQCS system.

1

Create an Okta account

View our step by step instructions for how to complete this step or view video instructions.

Person

2

Look for the MAQCS application on the home page.

To narrow down the number of systems displayed, type ‘MAQCS’ into the search bar and click the portal that applies to you.

Search

3

Choose the HHS MAQCS BBS Parent Portal

Three different apps may appear: HHS MAQCS, HHS MAQCS BBS – Parent Portal, and HHS MAQCS Child Care Provider – Provider Portal. Select the HHS MAQCS BBS – Parent Portal to begin your child care assistance application.

HHS MAQCS BBS Parents logo with a smiling sun and blue-yellow rays
Portal

4

Log in and enter your information

Complete all required fields. If you have applied or had a Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship within the past 5 years, please be aware you will need your Case number and Person number. You can call and get this information from us at 406.761.6010.

Edit

5

Submit and track your case

After submitting you'll get a confirmation number. Log back in to MAQCS at any time to check your case status.

Done

Best beginnings scholarship (BBS) parents frequently asked questions

How do you apply for the Best Beginnings Scholarship?

Can I submit paper applications or documents for the BBS Scholarship?

Help Desk Information for Okta?

MAQCS Support?

Does the BBS Scholarship back date to first of the month I apply?

What happens if I change child care providers?

Okta states that “an account with similar information already exists”?

What do I do if I get a pay raise or other change?

Do I have to approve BBS hours before the payment is processed?

Are school-age children automatically changed to full-time care for the summer?

How many hours are half-time and full-time care?

"Before Family Connections I was unable to work and go to school. I could not afford child care for two children who were still not old enough to go to school. With Family Connections I have been able to work and go to college. I graduated from the Licensed Addiction Counseling Program from MSU-Great Falls! Family Connections made my dreams a possibility!"

— Scholarship recipient, Great Falls

Have Questions About The Scholarship? We'd Love To Help!