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From all of us at Zero to Five Montana to all of you,
thank you for making 2024 the absolute best year!
This year we celebrated our 5th anniversary, launched our own 501(c)(3), and were thrilled to have received the CCDF Business Supports contract award so we can continue providing high quality business supports to child care businesses in Montana. Through this work we will also continue to support statewide community capacity building and are building out support for employers through the Family Forward Montana initiative.
Our team got to engage in countless opportunities to learn, lead, share and advocate for Montana’s early childhood system alongside you over the past 12 months. Thank you so much for joining us – your voice plays such an important role in the effort to drive meaningful change.
Wishing you all the joys of the season and a happy new year!
Sincerely,
Caitlin, Rhonda, Lina, Richard, Alex, Karen, Sarah, Callie, Jason, Kendra, Shelby, Beth and Jacklynn
Early Childhood Tribal Coalition launched Nov 8
A new coalition of tribal leaders and early childhood advocates in Montana came together virtually last month to launch a collaborative initiative aimed at strengthening early childhood education in tribal communities.
The group is focused on nurturing future generations through culturally relevant, high-quality early childhood education that honors tribal traditions and values. Participants from diverse tribes across the state shared their personal hopes, challenges, and ideas for building stronger communities through education, while also committing to working together to address workforce shortages, improve access to affordable quality care, and support children’s self-identity through language and cultural preservation.
The coalition is excited to continue its work with monthly meetings and a shared vision to “Center Tribal Voices, Nurture Our Future, and Build Stronger Communities Through Early Education”
Get Involved!
Joining the coalition is simple! Go to bit.ly/ectribal to sign up for updates, get info about participating in upcoming coalition meetings, and contribute your expertise.
Together, we will shape policies that reflect the diverse needs of Montana’s tribal communities and promote equitable early childhood development statewide.
2024 Road Show Report
Making the case for transformative change begins in your community - join us in our efforts! Learn about how you can get involved in early childhood advocacy at:
zerotofive.org/our-work/advocacy
Zero to Five Montana was founded on the belief that community-led strategies drive the most effective change.
During the summer of 2024, our team traveled around the state to join forces with some of Montana’s local early childhood coalitions to meet with families, providers and others interested in the success of our state’s early childhood system to talk issues and policy priorities. These conversations shaped the policy agenda we’re using as our
advocacy priorities for the 2025 legislative session.
We’re now excited to share our full “road show report.” It contains insights from our nine community conversations as well as policy recommendations to help improve Montana’s early childhood system.
Advocacy Trainings Coming Up!
The 2025 Montana Legislative Session is just around the corner! Please sign up to join us in our advocacy efforts at the capitol during the legislative session starting Jan. 6, 2025.
- Dec.10, 12 p.m.: Advocacy 101 Training – general training for all (parent, citizen, etc.) / Register
- January - April 2025: Legislative Update Calls every Thursday at 12 p.m. starting January 9th / Register
- Feb. 5: Early Childhood Policy Summit & Parent Advocacy Training / General Registration | Parent Registration
- Feb. 6: "Have a Heart for Kids" early childhood advocacy event at the Montana State Capitol / General Registration | Parent Registration
Learn more about early childhood advocacy and the legislative process during our Early Childhood Summit in Helena on Feb. 5 and our advocacy day, "Have a Heart for Kids," at the state capitol on Feb. 6.
Zero to Five Montana is hiring a part-time Communications Support Specialist!
We are looking for someone who is interested in mission-driven work and is passionate about communications to help amplify our vision of creating a Montana where every child thrives. The ideal candidate will be a strong collaborator, have a keen eye for design, and strong communication skills. The Communications Support Specialist position can be remote in Montana and is part-time, between 20-30 hours per week.
Shared Services Update
TELEHEALTH
AllyHealth Telehealth services are now available!
Please visit the Shared Services web page for more information and registration.
CHILD CARE SUBSTITUTE SOLUTIONS
The Substitute Solutions service has been transferred to Alliance Care as of Dec. 1, 2024. We are accepting new programs and substitutes Jan. 1, 2025!
EDUCATION & EVENTS
Recorded Webinars Available
Find our Tiny Training webinars on our YouTube channel, or visit childcarebusinessconnect.com.
MCCBC is now offering courses through www.ChildCareTraining.org!
NAEYC seeking public comment
You haven't missed your chance to review the drafts of NAEYC's foundational position statements, the Code of Ethical Conduct and the Early Childhood Program Standards!
NAEYC invites you to join the revision process by looking through the drafts and sharing your thoughts and perspectives through Dec. 15.
Read more about the position statements, watch the information session, and explore the ways you can provide feedback at https://www.naeyc.org/resources/position-statements.
In the News
- The child care crisis hampers opportunity for America's families (Ms. Magazine)
- Surging insurance costs are threatening the future of child care (The Hechinger Report)
- What another Trump presidency could mean for families struggling to afford child care (Fast Company)
- CT, NH mandate play-based learning in schools. Why all states should do the same (The 74)
- What if finding child care online were as easy as making a dinner reservation? (EdSurge)
- Moms have momentum on our side. Now let's turn it into action. (Katie Couric Media)
This project is funded in whole or in part under a Contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Department.
