Town Crier
Pandemic relief to help healthcare workers with childcare
Published
3 years agoon
Posted By
AdminASSOCIATED PRESS
HELENA – Montana is using $5.5 million in pandemic relief money to help healthcare workers pay for licensed childcare over the next year, the health department and the governor announced Monday.
Funds will be available for parents and guardians who work in healthcare, behavioral health, disability services and long-term care settings, including assisted living and home health.
“Over the last 20 months, Montana healthcare workers have made tremendous sacrifices as they’ve treated and cared for Montanans,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a statement. “Many are moms and dads who, like all Montanans, have faced a long-standing child care shortage, only made worse by the pandemic. This program will give hundreds of Montana families peace of mind.”
A 2019 report by the Department of Labor found that licensed childcare providers in Montana met less than half the estimated demand.
Last month, the health department announced that $31 million in federal pandemic relief funding was available to help increase licensed childcare capacity. The money could be used to pay rent, utilities, wages, maintenance and personal protective equipment along with diapers and other care materials.
Under the $5.5 million program, families must pay up to $100 per month as a copayment and officials estimate the program will cover care costs for about 600 children. The children must be under age 12 to qualify, parents must comply with child support if there is an absent parent and the childcare facility must be licensed, officials said.
Applications for the childcare assistance began being accepted on Nov. 19. The state notified licensed childcare providers about the program earlier, Jon Ebelt, spokesperson for the Department of Public Health and Human Services, said Monday.
Families with a household income of between 185 percent and 250 percent of the federal poverty level will be prioritized for the program, as will people whose work in facilities is reliant on Medicaid funding. For a family of four, the annual income range for eligibility would be from about $49,000 to $66,250.
Families can receive help with the application process by contacting a regional Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, said Adam Meier, director of the health department.
“We urge Montana providers and businesses to encourage all potential eligible employees to apply,” Meier said in a statement.
A separate federal program called the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Program helps pay for childcare for families whose income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
The childcare funding was recommended by the Health Advisory Commission, which makes suggestions to the governor for how to allocate some of Montana’s share of federal pandemic relief funding.
Upcoming Events
july, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary. Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Location
Montage Big Sky
995 Settlement Trail
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm