Montana House concurs on child care bill

The Montana State House on Friday voted to concur with a conference committee report that recommended restoring some funding for a program for rating and subsidizing private child care operations. The State Senate postponed action on the matter until Saturday.The conference committee agreement called for restoring nearly $1.4 million for the coming fiscal year for a task force to study how to establish the program. The agreement called for next year's Legislature to spend up to $6 million if it's satisfied with the progress.Rep. Elaine Harvey, R-Lovell, served on the conference committee and urged House members to approve the compromise bill on Friday."Help us with access to child care, and help us with quality child care," Harvey said.

Read the Full Story on Montana's Child Care Bill

Child Care Providers may get meal compensation

Child care home providers in rural Nebraska are eligible for payment for meals served to children in their care.

CACFP reimburses child care home providers for meals and snacks served to children. If more than 40 percent of the children in an area are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals, the child care homes in that area are eligible for reimbursement through the pilot project.The rates of reimbursement in the pilot areas through June 30, 2006 are: breakfast: $1.06; lunches and suppers, $1.96; and snacks, $.58. Rates are expected to increase on July 1, 2006.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) established in 1968, administered by the Nebraska Department of Education is funded by under a two-year project through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA).

To find out more about eligibility requirements child care providers may learn which sponsors serve their county visit the Nebraska Department of Education Nutrition Services website or by calling Nutrition Services at 402.471.2488.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care & Learning 2/9/2006
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