Support for Students with Families
Resources for MSU Students with Families to promote Access and Success in their Education
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HRDC
The Human Resource Development Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to building
a better community through innovation and leadership. They provide programs and services
in the areas of Housing, Food & Nutrition, Child & Youth Development, Senior Empowerment,
Community Transportation, Home Heating–Energy–Safety, and Community Development.
DPHHS Children & Families Programs
The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services has many programs available for
Montana's families and children. The link above list services for assistance programs,
family services, child welfare, pregnancy resources, youth care, and more.
MSU Child Development Center
105 Herrick Hall
(406) 994-5010
The MSU CDC offers a year-round early education program for Bozeman area young children,
ages 3 to 5 years. A university laboratory site for research and learning, the center
is licensed by the State of Montana and by the National Association for the Education
of Young Children (NAEYC).
TIP: Please contact the center asap as there could be a long waiting list.
ASMSU Day Care Center
Louise Shunk Day Care Community Center
1295 West Garfield Street
(406) 994-4326
ASMSU Day Care provides childcare and educational activities for preschoolers aged
2½ to 6 years. The center is open to children of MSU students, staff and faculty,
and is accredited by the National Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation
(NAEYC). School is in session Monday through Friday 7:45a.m. to 5:15p.m. on the days
MSU classes are in session. We are open during summer session. Half days and whole
days are available.
TIP: Please contact the center asap as there could be a long waiting list.
Child Care Connections
1143 Stoneridge Drive Suite 1
(406) 587-7786
Child Care Connections advocates for the well-being and quality care of children by
supporting early childhood professionals, families and the communities we serve. Offers
services such as Best Beginnings scholarships for families struggling with high child
care costs, safety programs, and more.
Family Connections Montana State University
(406) 761-6010
Family Connections Montana helps you find quality child care the best fits your needs.
Whether your hours of needed care are limited or you are looking for specific environments,
Family Connections Montana connects families to licensed child care providers in order
to provide a quality experience for everyone. A child care referral may also be accessed
through the website.
Thrive
(406) 587-3840
Thrive is a community-based organization that provides a variety of programs to help
support children and families in the Bozeman area. Programs include Parent Place,
Child Advancement Project, Parent Liaison, Girls for Change, and Partnership Project
to Strengthen Families.
Examples of situations you might be looking for a caregiver to watch your child:
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- when school or the child care program closes intermittently
- your child is mildly ill and unable to go to school or child care
- to meet an unexpected deadline
- due to your schedule changing
- simply to go out and have a relaxing evening
Commercial web sites listing babysitters:
General Tips when hiring a babysitter/caregiver:
Off-Campus Student Life has a Child Care Grant Award Application to support Gallatin College, undergraduate, and graduate student parents by helping
pay a portion of their childcare expenses. If awarded, the dollars are directly sent
on the student’s behalf to the licensed childcare program. This way, the award does
not impact the student’s financial aid package.
Thrive provides local Gallatin Valley families with the resources, tools, and support they
need to raise healthy, successful children. It provides mentoring, education, and
support to children and families through signature programs designed right here in
our community.
Child Care Connections’ Choosing Quality Child Care Pamphlet
NAEYC Accredited Program Search
What to look for in a program (Child Care and Preschool)
Zero to Three
Information and support on child early development
ChildCareAware website and State Child Care Facts in MT (2020 data set)
Hopa Mountain
(406) 586-2455
Hopa Mountain is a Bozeman-based nonprofit organization that administers the Indigenous
Scholars of Promise program and occasionally offers fellowships for Native American
undergraduate students majoring in the geosciences or working in nonprofits.
Bozeman Public Schools
(406) 522-000
The community of Bozeman has seven K-5 elementary schools, two 6-8 middle schools,
and two 9-12 high school. For a list of schools and contact information visit the
Bozeman School District's page about their schools.
Belgrade Public Schools
(406) 388-6951
Belgrade has three K-5 elementary schools, one 6-8 middle schools, and one 9-12 high
school. For a list of schools and contact information visit the Belgrade School District's page for visitors.
Montana School Nutrition Programs
The School Nutrition Programs unit administers school-based child nutrition programs
throughout Montana on behalf of the Office of Public Instruction's Health Enhancement
and Safety Division.
AYCSS Adult Learner Resources
Check out the collection of MSU resources for adult learners, curated by the Allen
Yarnell Center for Student Success.
Bounty of the Bridgers
The Bounty of the Bridgers Campus Food Pantry provides supplemental and emergency
food assistance to students, faculty, staff, and family members at no cost. Along
with the food pantry, the Bounty of the Bridgers program now also supports Food Security Scholarships.
MSU Student Meal Plans
MSU's offering of student meal plans.
- Commuter vs. Residential Meal Plans
- Dining Hall Locations, Hours, & Meal Times
- Meal Plan Options and Pricing
Community Café
Come enjoy a delicious meal with your friends and family at the Community Café. By
eating with us, you can help feed a neighbor in need. Just pay the full amount of
the suggested price for your meal, plus a little extra to “pay it forward.” If everyone
does a little it will help a lot. What you give is more than just a meal: You give
hope, opportunity & community.
Gallatin Valley Food Bank
The food resource center for Gallatin County. The critical link between food and people
who need it.
SNAP
SNAP provides benefits to eligible families to supplement their food budget and increase
their ability to purchase healthy foods.
HRDC's Guide to Affordable Housing
Because finding affordable housing is such a challenge, HRDC makes creating and accessing
safe, secure housing a priority.
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Montana Department of Commerce (MDOC) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
helps very low-income families, individuals with disabilities and the elderly afford
decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market.
Family & Graduate Housing
Family & Graduate Housing serves the students of Montana State University by providing
affordable housing options in an environment that is conducive to the academic and
social success of student families, and qualifying single tenants. Students considering
Family and Graduate Housing should submit their application 8-12 months in advance
of their move-in date. Application deposit is required.
Career, Internship, Student Employment Office
The Career, Internship, Student Employment Office helps students connect with job
opportunities both on and off campus. This office also host career fairs, workshops
and events, as well as provides career coaching for students. All services are free
to MSU students.
Hire a Bobcat (Handshake)
MSU's HireABobcat.com is a FREE online recruiting platform for students and employers.
Explore various job postings, including on campus job opportunities and internships.
Bozeman Job Service
Montana's One-Stop Centers make up a state-wide system of workforce development partners
that collaborate to provide customer focused employment and training opportunities
that prepares, trains, and connects a highly skilled workforce to the business community
striving to enhance and improve long term employment outcomes for job seekers and
business.
Work Study
Work Study is a federal or state funded program offered to eligible students who demonstrate
financial need. The money earned is intended to assist with meeting educational expenses.
If Work Study is awarded as part of a financial aid package, the student is eligible
to apply for a Work Study job. The money earned through a Work Study job is paid in
the form of a paycheck on an “hour’s work for an hour’s pay” basis. These funds do
not credit to the student's account.
Streamline Bus Service
Streamline offers fare-free service throughout the Bozeman area to fulfill everyone's
transportation needs. Our routes provide service to and from Bozeman, Belgrade, Four
Corners, Livingston and seasonal routes to Bridger Bowl. Streamline also connects
with the the Skyline Bus System for travel to and from Big Sky.
Big Sky Bus Service
The new Big Sky area bus service that also provides the Link between Bozeman and Big
Sky. The year-round service offers increased travel options for the community. Bus
passes are for sale for a nominal fee.
Parenting Courses
MSU's Family and Human Development Extention has gathered online and video courses
about a variety of parenting topics. They also provide a space to request parenting
information for any additional topics not covered by their current list of resources.
Parent & Caregiver Resources
This page provides access to parenting information and resources, useful links, and
guides for parents/caregivers of all kinds.
Active Parenting
MSU Extension agents across Montana will be teaching Active Parenting for the Active Parenting the
First Five Years, Active Parenting 4th Edition for Youth 5-12 years old and Active
Parenting for Teens. Classes are offered virtually. See course details below and
visit the Active Parenting website.
Breastfeeding & Lactation Spaces on Campus
Learn about MSU's Breastfeeding Policy, find Family Care rooms across campus, and explore additional lactation resources.
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