Contact Us

Department of Public Health and Human Services
Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD)
Early Childhood Services Bureau (ECSB) and Child Care Bureau (CCB)

PO Box 4210
Helena, MT 59601-4210

Early Childhood and Family Support Division: (406) 444-1958
Early Childhood Services Bureau: (406) 444-1958

Leadership

Jody Lehman | Child Care Bureau Chief
Jill Christensen | Early Childhood Services Bureau Chief

Quality, Training, and Education Staff

The Quality team supports the professional development, training and quality needs of early childhood education and care system in Montana. Programs include STARS to Quality, staff registry, and coaching.

Sally Tilleman | Early Learning and School Readiness Program Manager
Shandi Hayes | Program Specialist
Marjorie Vegoren | Program Specialist

Child and Adult Care Food Program Staff

The CACFP supports child care businesses by providing assistance with child nutrition, food service management, and reimbursement for meals served.

Brooke Pickett | CACFP Program Manager
Cassie Kaufman | Program Specialist
Pam Barragato | Program Specialist
Rachel Rolston | Program Specialist

Shandy Petersen | Program Specialist

Child Care Licensing Staff

The role of the Child Care Licensing Program is to regulate and monitor child care facilities. Additionally, the Program establishes guidelines for the health, safety and well-being of the children in these facilities. Surveys are conducted annually and all complaints are investigated.

Melody Olson | Child Care Licensing Program Manager

Caitlin Stewart-Nurse | Child Care Licensing Program Manager

List of Child Care Licensing Staff

Child Care Eligibility & Policy Unit Staff

The role of the Child Care Policy Unit is to regulate and monitor child care facilities. It establishes guidelines for the health, safety and well-being of the children in these facilities. Surveys are conducted annually and all complaints are investigated.

Allison Drake | CCDF Program Manager
Kirsten Geiger | Best Beginnings Specialist
Chauntel Lucier | Best Beginnings Specialist
Sam Garetson | CCDF Special Projects Coordinator

Montana Head Start Collaboration Office Staff

The Head Start Collaboration Office facilitates collaboration among Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) and entities that carry out activities designed to benefit low income children from birth to school entry, and their families.

Mark Douglass | Montana Head Start Collaboration Director