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Legislative Interim Meetings
- June 17: Economic Affairs Interim Committee (watch)
- June 17: Education Interim Committee (watch)
- June 18-19: Legislative Days (Legislators will come to Helena to get up to speed on 2025 Session's emerging issues, hear about potential proposals of interim committees, & take deep dives in topical workshops led by legislative staff)
- June 20: Interim Budget Committee Section B - Department of Public Health and Human Serves (watch)
- June 20: Interim Budget Committee Section E - Education (watch)
Zero to Five Montana & Upcoming Partner Events
Aug. 7-8: Montana Child Care Business Connect Annual Summit in Helena
Montana Early Childhood System
Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis Kicks Off
Zero to Five Montana, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, and national experts Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies, just kicked off a comprehensive fiscal analysis of our state’s early childhood system to help develop a shared vision to improve services for all Montana children.
What does this one-year fiscal analysis process look like?
- Deep engagement with key constituents across the prenatal to five system,
- Establishing a fiscal vision and guiding principles to support work that advances a robust prenatal to five system,
- Analysis of the current revenues supporting prenatal to five services in Montana,
- Development of cost estimation models for child care and home visiting/family support, and the systems needed to support these programs, and
- Identification of recommendations to support advancing the states goals for the prenatal to five system
The process began May 29 in Helena with a broad group of early childhood stakeholders including child care providers, child care resource and referral agencies, representatives from higher education, governmental agencies, early childhood coalitions, and more.
Stay tuned for updates as we move through this work!
NEW! Registration is Open for the 2024 Summit!
We are overjoyed to share the exciting news that registration is open for our second annual Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit!
This annual event serves as a powerful platform for child care providers, community leaders, and early childhood education experts to come together and forge connections that strengthen our child care industry.
Join us this year August 7-8, 2024 at the Delta Hotel in Helena! Click the link below to view our agenda, check out lodging information and to register for this exicting event! We hope to see you there!
Welcome Beth Branam, our new Workforce Business Consultant!
We're so excited to share that Beth Branam has joined our Connect team as our Workforce Business Consultant!
Education & Events
Connect team on the road!
- Beth, Lina and Shelby had the opportunity to attend the 2024 Montana SHRM conference last month in beautiful Kalispell. It was an inspiring gathering of HR professionals from across the state, all with a shared dedication to fostering thriving workplaces and supporting employees.
The Montana SHRM conference provided our team members with invaluable insights and networking opportunities, allowing us to learn from experts in the HR field and exchange ideas with fellow professionals who understand the critical importance of supporting working parents.
- This month, Jason and Beth participated in DPHHS’ Second Annual Disability Employment conference. This conference brought state and national thought leaders to Montana to empower employers to integrate members of disabled communities into workforce solutions.
- Also, Jason traveled to Bozeman and Livingston to facilitate two board of directors training events for non-profit child care businesses. These events aim to clarify board members' roles and responsibilities, enhance boards' engagement methods within organizations, and uncover strategies for both individuals and boards to operate more effectively and efficiently.
- Shelby had the opportunity to engage with diverse groups of professionals by participating as an exhibitor at the Miles City Provider Appreciation event hosted by HRDC, and the Montana Credit Union Association Power Up Conference in Helena.
- Finally, MCCBC was incredibly proud to host a Ready to Lead Academy with Barbara Volpe & Iris Corral from the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership.
This leadership academy was focused on the needs of recently hired center directors and is designed to help them develop leadership essentials.
35 directors & assistant directors from across Montana came together for interactive learning, networking, and mastering essentials like self-awareness, leadership styles, and productivity tips.
Thanks to all those who participated! 🤗
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!
Watch for more over the next few months!
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.
In the News
- Guest opinion by our ED, Caitlin Jensen: Early literacy programs provide choices for families (Lewistown News-Argus)
- Young kids are struggling with skills like listening, sharing and using scissors (Education Week)
- Cities and towns provide kindergarten. They soon might fund child care services for toddlers and infants and toddlers too. (MarketWatch)
- Early educators deserve better, starting with healthcare & retirement benefits (EdSurge)
- Montana Free Press child care series:
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