Montana Shared Services to Join
Zero to Five Montana Oct. 1

Two years ago, Zero to Five Montana was awarded a 2-year American Rescue Plan Act child care supplemental grant through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. With that funding we built out a team, designed, and launched a comprehensive child care business support program – Montana Child Care Business Connect (MCCBC).  

Since then, MCCBC has offered trainings, workshops, business consultation, mentorships, community capacity building programs, professional development summits and more – ultimately helping new and existing child care business owners expand their programs, assisting more than 20 child care entrepreneurs in opening new child care programs, and supporting the creation of more than 480 new child care slots and more than 130 new jobs. 

While the ARPA funding ends at the end of this month, we recently learned we were awarded a DPHHS contract to continue offering child care business services and expand our reach to more communities. During the application process, we worked closely with Raise Montana to create a one-stop shop for child care business services, including the Montana Shared Services program. 

Starting Oct. 1, Montana Shared Services for child care providers will be included with Zero to Five Montana’s Child Care Business Connect program. 

We are thrilled to continue this work and to offer additional support to Montana child care businesses. As we work to get things in place, look for more information from us soon. 

Early Childhood Tribal Coalition Work Advances

Members of the Early Childhood Tribal Coalition core team traveled from around the state in August to Bozeman for a guided discussion focused on historical and modern impacts on tribal communities, as well as planning for the official coalition launch later this year.

"We embarked on a profound journey towards creating a culturally safe space for Indigenous communities," said Callie Parr, Zero to Five Montana early childhood tribal coordinator.

The discussion, facilitated by Turquoise Skye Devereaux, used historical context to understand and alleviate barriers to support holistic healing. 

"Our reflections underscored the need for safe spaces where voices are heard, traumas are acknowledged, and healing is prioritized. By centering Indigenous voices and focusing on ancestral resiliency, we are paving the way for a tribal-led coalition that honors the strength and beauty of Montana's tribal communities. As we move forward, we will remain committed to supporting our tribal nations, embracing continuous learning, and amplifying the power of shared journey. Together, we are not just building a coalition; we are nurturing a path of empowerment, healing, and growth," Parr said.

Zero to Five Montana is extremely thankful for the support and technical assistance of ZERO TO THREE and the organization's Built for Babies project. For more information on the coalition, see our website.

From Local to Federal: Collaborating on
Early Childhood System Improvement

Last week our organization leaders headed east and west to collaborate with and learn from local, state and federal officials on early childhood issues in Montana.

Our program director, Rhonda Schwenke, was in Washington D.C. talking to U.S. government leaders about the importance of access to quality, affordable child care for families in rural areas. Capping a very full day at the 2024 National Rural Childcare Forum at the USDA Headquarters on Sept. 5, Rhonda participated in a discussion dedicated to rural child care. 

At the same time, our executive director, Caitlin Jensen, attended The Hunt Institute’s 2024 Early Childhood Leadership Summit in Nevada.

This annual event is an invitation-only, bipartisan gathering of state teams comprised of senior elected officials, gubernatorial staff, and key early childhood system leaders designed to let thought partners learn about the latest research, innovations, and policy successes; collaborate on goals with state elected officials and early childhood administrators; and network with elected policymakers and early childhood experts from across the nation. 

We are encouraged by the attention our local, state and federal leaders are dedicating to issues including child care and family economic supports in Montana. 

Policy Agenda Discussion & Advocacy Trainings Coming Up!

Zero to Five Montana invites you to join in our policy agenda discussion on Sept. 17! 

We've also got some advocacy trainings scheduled prior to the 2025 Legislative Session as well as our regular session updates and our "Have a Heart for Kids" event slated for Feb. 5-6 at the state capitol. Register below!

• Sept. 17, 12 p.m.: Early Childhood Policy Agenda Discussion & Input Meeting / Register
• Oct. 17, 12 p.m.: Advocacy 101 Training – train the trainer for early childhood community leaders / Register
• 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! Child Care Case Studies Published

We are thrilled to share two new stories of child care success!

One features the Choteau Youth Alliance and their work to start a new child care facility in their community, increase child care availability, create jobs and make connections.

The second spotlights Amy Paden and her success in pivoting her career, overcoming obstacles to open and run plAyBCs, a child care facility in Missoula, Montana.

Check it out via the link below (or visit childcarebusinessconnect.com!) and stay tuned for more case studies in the coming months!

EDUCATION & EVENTS

Recorded Webinars Available

Missed a Tiny Training webinar? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to access past recordings. Or, visit childcarebusinessconnect.com. 

MCCBC is now offering courses through www.ChildCareTraining.org!

Small Business Resiliency Course

Don’t let burn-out be the reason you close your business! In some studies, 67% of child care business owners report experiencing some sort of “burn out” as a contributing factor to why they close their doors. Less than 20% of child care businesses that closed their doors reported having any kind of resiliency training or support. It is the goal of this workshop to provide you with four skills that have been proven successful in combatting burn out.

This course can be taken at any time and is free of charge. Two hours ECP credit is available.

Employee Recruitment and Retention

This class will teach how to hire the right fit by using the 8 best practices in selecting new employees, as well as learn why company culture, including your mission, vision, and values, is key for retention.

This course can be taken at any time and is free of charge. Two hours ECP credit is available.

In the News 

• Changes to state contracts with childcare service providers provoke concern, and cuts (Montana Free Press)
• Bozeman Reads literacy program expands with new funding (Montana Right Now)
• Billings School District 2 KinderREADy program intends to improve childhood literacy before Kindergarten (KTVQ)
• St. Peter's opens new employee child care facility in Helena (Helena Independent Record)
• September job report underscores the severity of America's child care crisis (NBC News)
• In 2024, Head Start programs are still funded by a formula set in the 1970s (The Hechinger Report)
• The workers behind the workers (Glamour)
• The bipartisan election-year infrastructure issue: child care (Ms.)
• When day cares close in rural areas, sometimes an entire town is left without options (Marketplace)