$6 million in state grants helps boost local preschool programs

Preschools across the state are experiencing new opportunities for growth and improvement with the implementation of a state-funded grant meant to specifically benefit early childhood programs.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced July 28 that over the next two years, $6 million will be distributed to 17 preschools, including a handful of programs in Northwest Montana.

“This investment helps our families, it helps our kids get off to a bright start, and it helps our economy,” Bullock said in a press release. “We’re finally making this long-awaited investment, and by doing so, building a stronger future for Montana.”

Out of 47 applicants for the grant, the 17 chosen were selected based on the quality, readiness and diversity of each program.

Through those selected programs, the grant will benefit nearly 300 preschool age children.

Locally affected programs include the Cherry Valley Elementary School in Polson, Marion School District 54, Ronan School District 30, Troy Public Schools and the Early Childhood Center at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell.

For the FVCC center — which will receive $150,000 a year for the next two years through the grant — the funding will allow for the hiring of new personnel and the provision of a tuition-free preschool program for the parents involved.

“The general purpose of the grant is to model programs and show that high quality intervention and support for preschool children can make a difference in how they succeed in kindergarten and in regular K-12 education,” said Darlene Schottle, the education consultant for special programs at the college’s Early Childhood Center.

The funding will allow the center to hire an education coordinator who will provide coaching and direction for the center’s staff and teachers.

The grant will also fund workshops for parents and childcare professionals in the community, and provide other educational opportunities for FVCC students and members of the public looking to learn more about early childhood education.

The importance of the college’s early childhood program lies in the emotional and social training needed for 4- and 5-year-old children to develop successful relationships and social skills, according to program director, Renee August.

“Your child may be able to read and write, but if they can’t get their shovel back, they’re not going to have friends,” August said. “Social and emotionally, that’s where we focus on learning here.”

Though, according to Schottle, the center has no plans to add to its current number of students or expand the facility through the grant, what she and the staff hope to expand is their program’s sphere of influence in the community.

She said she hopes to see the additions made to the program become a sustainable model for other programs.

“We’re hoping that in the future, this might be a step toward universal preschool funding from the Legislature,” Schottle said. “We’re beginning to understand that there is a need for that early support and intervention for parents and children.”

For other programs that will benefit from the grant, the opportunities gained will help begin brand new programs in communities, like Troy, that do not currently have preschools.

The Troy Public School, according to Superintendent Jacob Francom, has never before had its own preschool.

Previously, the only preschool program in Troy was run by a church, but is no longer offered.

The $130,000 the new program will receive through the grant will allow for the hiring and training of a certified preschool teacher and the space for up to 18 students.

According to Francom, the availability of this new program will have a strong positive impact on the community in providing more support services for parents and children.

So far, Francom said, there has been a lot of positive feedback and interested parents in anticipation of the program’s launch scheduled for this fall.

For those interested in enrolling in this fall’s program or seeking more information about the program, Francom said to contact the Troy Public School’s district office at 406-295-4606.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.