Contact Us

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

PO Box 4210
Helena, MT 59601-4210

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

ECSB Leadership

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

Brooke Pickett | CACFP Program Manager
Vacant | CCDF Program Manager
Penny Job | Child Care Licensing Program Manager
Sally Tilleman | Early Learning and School Readiness Program Manager

ECSB Support Staff

Sam Garetson | CCDF Special Projects Coordinator

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.

Shandi Hayes | Program Specialist
Marjorie Vegoren | Program Specialist
Vacant | Early Education and Coaching Specialist
Madison Diederichs | Child Care Health Care 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.

Janene Shepherd | Program Specialist
Cassie Kaufman | Program Specialist
Pam Barragato | 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.

List of Child Care Licensing Staff

Child Care Policy Unit Staff

Allison Drake | Best Beginnings Specialist
Chauntel Lucier | Best Beginnings Specialist

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.

Kathy Rich | Montana Head Start Collaboration Director