Specialized Training Opportunities
The Department of Public Health and Human Services/Early Childhood Services Bureau’s Best Beginnings Programs support education and training that is designed to improve the quality, availability, and affordability of a child care and early childhood education for all of Montana’s families.
Current Specialized Training Projects:
1. Child Care Resources (#1): An Adventure in Exploring Early Learning Environments
(Proposal requested $20,000)
An Adventure in Exploring Early Learning Environments will deliver 24 hours of training over 3 components:
- Component 1 will comprise 12 hours:
- 6 hours of classroom training,
- 2 hours of observing model child care facilities,
- 2 hours of individualized technical assistance,
- and 2 hours in pre and post assessment.
- Component 2 will include:
- 2 hours of distance learning unit.
- Component 3: Parade of Child Care Facilities will build on the content of the distance learning unit, combining a tour, critiques and classroom training for a total of 6 training hours.
2. Career Training Institute: Business Training for the Child Care Industry
(Proposal requested $20,000)
25-100 child care providers will receive organized (sequential) business training specifically targeting the child care industry. Each component will be presented in a contextual learning environment. All courses will be held in Helena and will recruit practitioners from Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Broadwater, Silver Bow, Gallatin,
and Powell Counties. Supportive services are available to participants for travel and other expenses.
3. Child Care Resources (#2): Positive Behavior Guidance and Special Needs Technical Assistance
(Proposal requested $12,000)
Individuals who have completed the Meeting the Challenge: Positive Guidance, a 5-hour curriculum that is part of CCR’s R&R contract, will be eligible to receive individualized training. Guidance Consultation will be conducted onsite, including observation and assessment and individualized coaching/mentoring. The Guidance Network comprised of providers who have received training and have demonstrated skills in positive guidance will meet twice for a total of four hours of training in two-hour increments.
4. Child Care Plus +: Montana Institute on Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs: Training the Center Director
(Proposal Requested $20,000)
The intent of the project is to build the capacity of Montana’s Child Care Centers and enhance the ability of Child Care Center Directors (and Assistant Directors) to promote and support inclusion in their early childhood programs. This project is available to directors and assistant directors statewide.
5. Salish Kootenai College: Applying the Touchpoints Philosophy
(Proposal Requested $20,000; recommend funding project at $13,000 for the Touchpoints statewide training components of the proposal)
Introduction to Touchpoints will be made available to individuals around the state. This training will be developed after a survey of needs is conducted with the involvement of the Early Childhood Services Bureau to determine those who most need/want the training.
To find specific information on the training opportunities listed above and more visit the Statewide Training Calendar at: http://www.montana.edu/~wwwecp/calendar.html
