About SPARK Montana

SPARK Learning Lab Montana has been commissioned by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to provide quality technical assistance services to child care programs and professionals across the state.
This page provides more information on the people and organizations that power SPARK Montana.

Meet the Team

SPARK Learning Lab Montana is powered by child care professionals across the state of Montana. Technical Assistance specialists work across the state, and are available in person and virtually via remote channels.

Leadership

Sandy Cade

SPARK- Montana Project Director

Sandy is an early childhood professional with over 20 years of experience building early childhood system networks, developing new programs, providing leadership and engaging with stakeholders all across Montana. She has focused on building professional development systems to increase programmatic outcomes for children and families. Sandy’s recent positions have included Montana Part C Coordinator and and the Preschool Development Grant Manager, both in the Early Childhood Bureau at DPHHS. Sandy has direct child care experience as a Head Start site director.

Cindy Straughn

SPARK Montana Deputy Director

Cindy has over 20 years of experience increasing the wellbeing of children and families in Montana through creative solutions, collaborative efforts, policy changes , and promotion of family strengths and independence. Immediately before coming to SPARK, Cindy was the Quality Team Program Specialist & Infant Toddler State Lead within the Early Childhood Bureau and DPHHS. Prior to that position Cindy spent eight years as the Providers Services Manager at The Nurturing Center in Kalispell. She has also been a preschool teacher and Head Start advocate.

Team

Rori Croft

SPARK Montana Technical Assistance Manager

Tammy Christofferson

SPARK Montana Technical Assistance Manager

Jennifer Sevier

SPARK Montana Communications and Outreach Manager

Vanessa Nasset

SPARK Montana Access & Inclusion Specialist

Laci Padilla

Help Desk Specialist

Sara Silva

SPARK Montana Social-Emotional Health and Wellness Specialist

Khristi Drabbs

SPARK Montana Infant/Toddler Specialist

We’re Hiring - Join Our Team

See open roles and submit your application today. More roles will be posted in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Meet the Partners

Four organizations have teamed up to ensure the child care workforce in Montana benefits from high-quality evidence-based support and professional development.

Department of Health and Human Services

Serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence.

Early Childhood and Family Support Division

The Early Childhood and Family Support Division provides coordinated services and resources to promote well-being and support the health and development of children, individuals, families, and communities. Learn more at dphhs.mt.gov.

Montana Association for the Education of Young Children

The Montana Association for the Education of Young Children is an organization of early childhood professionals working to solve local, state, and national issues that affect children and families.They are a community of professionals advocating for quality care and education of young children through collaboration. Learn more at mtaeyc.org.

The Montana Family Childcare Network

The Montana Family Childhood Network is a collaboration of early childhood interests, who represents Montana’s Family Childcare Educators and advocates with united voices on behalf of all children, families and family childcare educators. They promote and encourage quality professional family childcare and early education through professional education, mentoring and advocacy. Learn more at mtfamilychildcarenetwork.org.

Shine Early Learning

Shine Early Learning partners with states and local communities to accelerate child and family outcomes by providing technical assistance, professional development and other supports.

Since its founding in 2011, Shine Early Learning has partnered with cities, states, and programs across the U.S. serving hundreds of thousands of students, families, and educators. Learn more at shineearly.com.