Best Beginnings Advisory Council Meeting Summary (11/14/19 - 11/15/19)

Best Beginnings Advisory Council Meeting Summary (11/14/19 - 11/15/19)

The Best Beginnings Advisory Council Meeting was held in Helena, Montana on 11/14/19 - 11/15/19. The Council was established in 2011, and serves as the main collaborating entity for the early childhood system in Montana. For more information on the Best Beginnings Advisory Council, please see the following links:
The Council Meeting happens twice a year, and is an opportunity for all those working in the early childhood field across the state to get together, discuss important issues, give feedback, and share updates on significant projects and changes that affect the early childhood landscape. 

Meeting Summary

  1. Project LAUNCH: Montana Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions in Unmet Needs in Children's Health) is a federal SAMHSA grant received in September 2014 by DPHHS. Their pilot project used a combination of methods to try and reach children and their families who may need mental health services. For more information, please see the following resources:
  2. Family and Community Health Bureau Updates
    • PDF handout of updates from the various sections within the Family and Community Health Bureau at DPHHS (attached)
    • Of particular note is the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs - there is a hotline you can call if you have questions about connecting families to services: (800) 762 - 9891
  3. Montana Preschool Development Grant is a $10 million federal grant that Montana received to build and expand access to high-quality preschool programs in targeted communities. There were 22 sub-grantees who received funding, and funding was targeted to support 4-year-old children from families whose incomes are at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The grant began in January 2015, and is wrapping up now. 
    • PDF infographic of grant outcomes and effects (attached)
  4. Strengthening Montana's Early Childhood System Project - Montana received a 2019 Preschool Development Birth through Five grant to conduct early childhood systems work in the state. With this funding, MT will seek to develop a comprehensive early childhood system to support early learning and development, family support and engagement, and health. As part of this grant, Montana was required to conduct a needs assessment, and conduct strategic planning.

Other Resources to Share

  1. Early Childhood Community Coalition Updates (attached as PDF): Updates from each of the Best Beginnings Local Coalitions.
  2. Family to Family Health Information Center Resource List (attached as PDF): This resource list is a brainstorm of formal and informal resources that can help connect families in need to the information they want.