ON THE ROAD: 2026 Community Conversations:
Policy Agenda Road Show

The 2026 Community Conversations: Policy Agenda Road Show is officially underway! Last month our team made the first stops in Poplar and Wolf Point. (Thank you Fort Peck Head Start for welcoming us to your community!)

Over the next few months we will continue to visit with parents, child care providers and other early childhood champions in Helena, Billings, Lodge Grass, Miles City, Bozeman, St. Ignatius, Libby, Missoula, Dillon, Hamilton and Harlowton. We’ll be discussing early childhood policy priorities and engaging in advocacy training ahead of the 2027 legislative session.

The feedback we gather from communities directly shapes our policy work and supports meaningful engagement with lawmakers. Together, we’re shaping an early childhood system that ensures Montana is a great place to grow up and raise a family – today and well into the future!

Sign up below for our advocacy email list for updates on federal and state early childhood policy advocacy opportunities, meeting announcements, and more!

Early Childhood Account Board Meets In-Person April 16

When: Thursday, April 16,  9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: In-person in Helena, State Capitol Building, Room 455

The Montana Early Childhood Account Board (MECA) meetings are open to the public. It exists to support the infrastructure of the state's early childhood system. The account board provides governance and oversight for MECA, ensuring funds align with legislative intent and state priorities as directed by the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services 2030 strategic plan.

Access the agenda and learn more about the board on the MECA web page.
 

Montana Early Childhood Coalitions celebrate
Strengthening Families Month & Week of the Young Child! 

The Gallatin Area Early Childhood Community Council (ECCC) supports children and families by connecting them to resources and fostering meaningful community engagement. A key example is their leadership of the Week of the Young Child, a national celebration that highlights the importance of early childhood education, supports families, honors educators, and encourages communities to invest in young children.

In 2025, the celebration included both a community carnival and a full week of family-friendly activities. The carnival welcomed 183 children and 140 adults, with 13 vendors—primarily nonprofits—offering interactive booths and resources.
This year’s carnival, scheduled for April 11th, will feature 14 vendors. Additionally, 14 local businesses and organizations are providing discounts and free activities throughout the week, creating accessible opportunities for families to learn, play, and connect.

Ravalli county's Bitterroot Early Learning Network (BELN) is kicking off a busy April with events for families and local child care providers. To promote a happy and healthy childhood, pinwheel displays can be found all over the community including City Hall, Evergreen Kids Corner, Saplings, the Bitterroot College and the Daly Mansion. The Hamilton Mayor will also be reading a proclamation designating April 11th-17 Week of the Young Child for the city at the courthouse. 

Families can join the Big Blue Prevention Party filled with games, crafts, and more April 4th at the Hamilton City Hall. This month will also hold BELN's 2nd annual Early Childhood Summit for all those who desire thoughtful collaboration and expertise on topics including resilience, reflective practice, rejuvenation, and trauma informed practices. The Summit will be preceded by a "Meet the Author Event" with the Summit keynote speaker, Kristin Souers, author of Relationship, Responsibility, and Regulation: Trauma-invested Practices for Fostering Resilient Learners at Chapter One Bookstore on Friday, April 10th.

With the release of the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services' comprehensive needs assessment, strategic plan, and fiscal analysis for the early childhood system reports, Montana has a comprehensive road map for strengthening early childhood systems.

In response, the Montana Early Childhood Network is hosting a series of “Launch Labs” to bring partners together from across the state to work on each of the five priority areas of the strategic plan to help turn these reports into action. 

Join for the monthly virtual meet-up to foster connection, collaboration, and information-sharing ☕

April's Coffee Connection will be with Danae Sollie,
Foster Care Advocate from Child Bridge. 
Danae will be sharing about her organization, Child Bridge, and how to best support children and families in foster care.

🗓️ April 23  |  ⏰ 9 a.m.  |  💻 via Zoom

If you haven't joined the Montana Early Childhood Network yet, sign up here!

Online Group Supports Family Advocacy for Early Childhood 

Check it out! Montana Parent Voice is an online statewide parent advocacy group dedicated solely to increasing awareness related to critical early childhood issues in Montana.

It is a forum for families to come together, learn, and take action for the early childhood system we all want to see for our children. Join this growing Facebook group to get involved and stay connected! 

Upcoming Legislative Interim Meetings

Stay connected with the Montana Legislature during the interim! Click the committee name below to access meeting agendas, Zoom links and other information.

School Funding Commission 
Tuesday, April 7 - Wednesday, April 8, 8 a.m., Capitol Room 317 & Zoom

State Tribal Relations Committee
Tuesday, April 7 - Wednesday, April 8, 8 a.m. 

Montana Early Childhood Account
Thursday, April 16, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., State Capitol & Zoom

Attention, Child Care Providers!

Sign up for The CONNECTOR, a new monthly e-blast from Montana Child Care Business Connect supporting the business of care through free training, tools and support for child care programs and professionals.

13 Child Care Business Owners Graduate from
All Our Kin Business Series 

All Our Kin business training focuses on best practices for family and group child care businesses, helping providers strengthen their operations, build sustainable programs, and continue delivering high-quality care for children and families.

Kendra Edlin, Zero to Five Montana Child Care Business Advisor, was so proud to celebrate these dedicated entrepreneurs and the vital role they play in supporting our communities. Congratulations, graduates and thank you for your commitment to children, families, and the future of early care and education.

Visit childcarebusinessconnect.com 
for access to other free resources, tools, and trainings.

Child Care Business Action Plan Training Tour
First stop Townsend: April 25, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

The Lodge, 131 South Spruce St.

We have all done it – gone to an inspiring training that sparked so many new ideas for you to use in your program, only to return home and set the folder full of great information in a stack of things you will get to "when you have time." But let's face it, we never find that time! This training will help you create a system that puts all your great intentions into action. Action moves the ball forward. Learn how to move your program forward at this fun live and in person training. This series runs April through September, we are coming to a town near you!

Share Your Expertise at the 2026 Connect Summit!

The call for proposals is open! This year's child care business summit theme is "Inspiring Leadership, Nurturing Community." If you are interested in sharing your expertise and presenting at the event, please fill out this form by 5 p.m. on May 1, 2026, to be considered.  

The 2026 Connect Summit will be held July 28-29 at Fairmont Hot Springs. Keynote speaker announcement and information on registration coming soon!