STARS Incentives

Quarterly Incentives

STARS incentives are available to programs in two forms:
1) quarterly quality improvement awards
2) tiered reimbursement percent increases (above standard state reimbursement rates) for those facilities choosing to serve Best Beginnings Scholarship families.

STAR 1

Resources delivered by STARS Consultant (value about $450)

STAR 2

Program Type

Family

Group

Small Center

Medium Center

Large Center

Incentive Amount

$625

$875

$1,250

$1,625

$2,063

Reduction After 3rd Renewal

$469

$656

$938

$1,219

$1,547

20% of total budget must go towards Personnel/Staff Costs 5% increased reimbursement for Best Beginnings Scholarships

STAR 3

Program Type

Family

Group

Small Center

Medium Center

Large Center

Incentive Amount

$938

$1,375

$1,875

$2,500

$3,125

30% of total budget must go towards Personnel/Staff Costs 10% increased reimbursement for Best Beginnings Scholarships

STAR 4

Program Type

Family

Group

Small Center

Medium Center

Large Center

Incentive Amount

$1,250

$1,875

$2,500

$3,375

$4,063

 40% of total budget must go towards Personnel/Staff Costs 15% increased reimbursement for Best Beginnings Scholarships

STAR 5

Program Type

Family

Group

Small Center

Medium Center

Large Center

Incentive Amount

$1,563

$2,250

$3,125

$4,250

$5,000

 50% of total budget must go towards Personnel/Staff Costs 20% increased reimbursement for Best Beginnings Scholarships

Small Center: 16-29 Licensed Capacity or previous 3 months Average Daily Attendance, whichever is less

Medium Center: 30-59 Licensed Capacity or previous 3 months Average Daily Attendance, whichever is less

Large Center: 60+ Licensed Capacity or previous 3 months Average Daily Attendance, whichever is less


STARS incentives are to be used for continuous quality improvement, staff support and salaries, professional development, equipment, etc. Purchases and investments are meant to assist a program in moving to the next level, maintaining the STAR level achieved and increasing quality. STARS incentives must be used in accord with an approved quality improvement plan. STARS incentives may not be used for construction.

All incentives for the Best Beginnings STARS to Quality System, including STARS incentives and workforce incentives, are subject to eligibility requirements as outlined in policy and are dependent on funding.

STARS Support from Businesses

The Early Childhood Services Bureau recognizes the following businesses who are independently supporting Best Beginnings STARS to Quality Participants. If you are a STARS to Quality Participant, please contact your STARS Consultant for more information.

The State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services Bureau does not endorse particular vendors, these vendors have provided this opportunity to Best Beginnings STARS to Quality participants independently as a means of supporting high quality early care and education for young children.

 

The Early Childhood Services Bureau recognizes the following businesses who are independently supporting Best Beginnings STARS to Quality Participants. If you are a STARS to Quality Participant, please contact your STARS Consultant for more information.