Expanding Access to Early Head Start: State Initiatives for Infants and Toddlers at Risk (Montana)

The federal EHS program was created to help minimize the disparities caused by poverty by supporting the healthy development of expectant mothers and low-income infants and toddlers in the context of their families and communities. However, less than 4 percent of babies and toddlers who are eligible for Early Head Start are currently being served. This report describes the diverse strategies states are using to build upon Early Head Start and offers recommendations for states interested in expanding this proven program. It builds on a previous paper, Building on the Promise: State Initiatives to Expand Access to Early Head Start for Young Children and their Families, released by the two organizations in 2008.

For further information see the following pages in Expanding Access to Early Head Start:

• Page 10: Table. Funding Mechanisms for State EHS Initiatives
• Page 15: APPENDIX. Initiatives that extend the day or year if existing services

Read the full report at www.zerotothree.org/expandingehs.

Since 2000, Montana has extended the day/year of EHS services through policies to ease blending funds.

In 2014 Montana received notification for estimated new funding for EHS expansion and EHS-CC Partnerships. The projected number of children to be served with this funding is 256.

In 2014:

• Federally-Funded Early Head Start Slots totaled 617
• State-Funded Early Head Start Slots totaled 18
• Early Head Start Home Visiting Office of Head Start-Funded Slots totaled 197

Learn more about 2014 Montana EHS updates at https://www.nhsa.org/files/resources/montana_fact_sheet.pdf

Updated February 2016