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Upcoming Webinar: Early Childhood Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis Project
Join us for a one-hour webinar on Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. to learn about the Montana Prenatal to Five Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis Project and how you can provide input. This is an exciting project to better understand the true cost of providing critical services in child care, early intervention, home visiting, and early education.
Zero to Five Montana and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services have partnered with Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies to conduct a comprehensive fiscal analysis (CFA) of the prenatal to five system in Montana. The CFA process includes:
- Establishing a fiscal vision and guiding principles to advance a robust prenatal to five system.
- Analysis of current funding supporting prenatal to five services in Montana including child care, early education, early intervention and special education, and home visiting.
- Developing cost estimation models for child care and home visiting/family support programs as well as the systems needed to support those programs.
- Identification of recommendations to support the state’s goals for the prenatal to five system.
This webinar will provide an overview and updates about the project, as well as ways you can get involved.
Families, your voices need to be heard!
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.
2025 Co-created Policy Agenda
By ensuring children in rural, urban and tribal communities across the state have access to safe and healthy early learning experiences and stable, nurturing environments, our policymakers can help set the foundation for Montana’s kids to succeed.
Strong systems are the basis for long-term sustainable change – every child in Montana deserves the chance to flourish, but not all children have access to the same early childhood supports.
We invite you to check out the 2025 policy agenda, co-created with diverse early childhood and community partners to reflect the issues and concerns faced by Montana families across the state. And please sign up to join us in our advocacy efforts at the
capitol during the legislative session starting Jan. 6, 2025.
Advocacy Trainings Coming Up!
- Nov. 12, 6 p.m.: Advocacy 101 Training – general training for all (parent, citizen, etc.) / Register
- 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
New Project Coordinator Position to Lead Employer-Sponsored Child Care & Family-Friendly Workplace Initiatives
We are looking for a dynamic individual for our project coordinator role! If you have a passion for working with employers on child care and family-friendly solutions, we hope you apply.
Click the link below to learn more and to apply. If you have questions, please contact norilinah@zerotofive.org
Headwaters & Alliance for Justice present
nonprofit lobbying workshop Dec. 5
Join the Headwaters Foundation and the Alliance for Justice for: “Public Charities Can Lobby: How Your 501(c)(3) Can Influence Policy for the Greater Good,” on Thursday, Dec. 5 at noon via Zoom.
Nonprofits have a close-up view of community needs and they not only have the right but also the opportunity to influence law and policy. After this workshop, you’ll come away with a clear understanding of what advocacy activities your 501(c)(3) can engage in, what communications count as lobbying, and how to maximize your non-lobbying advocacy to make an impact.
During a 30-minute Q&A, the trainer will address Montana-specific considerations and provide state-focused resources to help you advocate confidently. Register here!
Montana Nonprofit Association
Town Hall: Family Forward Montana
Big thanks to the Montana Nonprofit Association for hosting a webinar on Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. to learn about Family Forward Montana - an initiative to elevate resources, best practices, and bridge connections across employers. You will also hear about an exciting upcoming funding opportunity specifically for employers hoping to provide child care supports through an employer-sponsored child care program.
Also, we want to hear from you! How we can help Montana employers access and implement family-friendly workplace resources, so that more employers play an important role in expanding child care solutions to better serve families and communities? We look forward to engaging with you at this webinar!
Welcome, Jacklynn!
We are so happy to welcome Jacklynn Liles to our team as Shared Services Coordinator.
Jacklynn has eight years of experience in early childhood education including owning and directing two successful childcare facilities. As both an experienced provider and business owner, she has a deep understanding of what it takes to create nurturing, safe and stimulating environments where children can thrive emotionally and developmentally.
Shared Services Update
Zero to Five Montana is honored to continue the work of Montana Shared Services through our Montana Child Care Business Connect Program. Raise Montana worked to establish the program over the past two years and we look forward to building up additional services as we learn more about what is wanted and needed in the field.
Shared Services are consolidated support functions offered to businesses for cost savings as well as increased operational efficiencies. Shared Services can also serve to bring individuals together to exchange ideas, establish buying power and create effective change in their programs and communities.
This month, we are happy to announce we will continue offering telehealth services through our partner, Ally Health. Effective Dec. 1, 2024, programs can sign up individual staff for a cost of $12 per month. Each individual will receive the following services through Ally Health with a $0 copay:
- Virtual urgent care visits available 24/7/365, on-demand. Anytime. Anywhere.
- In-the-moment mental health support available 24/7/365, on-demand.
- Ongoing, scheduled and structured mental health appointments available usually within one week.
- Many other mental health and wellbeing resources available to meet you and your family where you are.
- Personal concierge to assist with many of life's most common burdens (vacation planning, financial or legal guidance, finding eldercare, & more.)
- Get and stay healthy with virtual health & wellness coaching.
- Prescriptions called in to your local pharmacy.
- No copays, deductibles, or per-call charges.
- Plan covers your entire family.
- Avoid long waits and exposure to germs and viruses.
- Rx savings program offers up to 85% discounts at retail pharmacies.
- Medical bill negotiation service can help you save on all of your medical bills.
More information on how to sign up for this
benefit is coming soon!
EDUCATION & EVENTS
Recorded Webinars Available
Tiny Trainings will return in 2025! But you can find our previous Tiny Training webinars on our YouTube channel, or visit childcarebusinessconnect.com.
MCCBC is now offering courses through www.ChildCareTraining.org!
Child Care Business Opportunity in Ennis!
Wild Rose Family Center and Madison Valley Adventure Academy in Ennis is looking for a new owner! This is an opportunity for someone to purchase an established childcare facility located in the beautiful town of Ennis. It could be an opportunity for a provider looking to expand their services or take on a new challenge in the childcare field.
From the owner:
- The center is well-established in the Ennis community and has been a trusted source of high-quality care and education for local children and families.
- The facility is currently fully equipped with everything needed for a smooth transition, including learning materials, furniture, and outdoor play equipment.
- The program has a reputation for excellence and a loyal clientele base, making it a great opportunity for someone looking to build upon an established foundation.
To learn more, please reach out to Lindsay DeGroot at 406-570-2692 or wildrosefamilycenter@gmail.com.
In the News
- 'A roller coaster:' Baker's first child care facility recovering from another road block (KTVQ)
- New child care center in Lodge Grass aims to support families in substance recovery (KTVQ)
- Former Roosevelt School building will be used for early childhood care (KRTV)
- Montana's child care industry is in crisis, but many providers say they still have open slots (Helena IR)
- Child care affordability top issue in Montana, persistent in recent Tranel campaign stops (Daily Montanan)
- How child care has emerged as an essential election issue in 2024 (Forbes)
- These teachers often live in poverty. A pay raise could help – but there's a cost (NPR)
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.
