Community Conversations Policy Agenda Road Show heads to Billings, Lodge Grass and Miles City

Our 2026 Community Conversations: Policy Agenda Road Show is underway! The Zero to Five Montana team is headed to Billings on May 12, Lodge Grass on May 13 and Miles City on May 14. (You can learn about our 2024 road show here.)

We’re excited to get back out into communities and engage directly with Montanans to elevate policy opportunities, uplift stories, build advocacy skills and develop relationships. 

Check out our website to see the full tour schedule and learn how you can get involved!
 

Local & Federal Advocacy Update  

State update: Make a Plan to Vote!
Montana’s primary election is Tuesday, June 2. Primary ballots will be mailed to registered voters starting May 8. Check out this handy Montana Free Press election guide.

Federal Update: Urge Congress to Support Investments in Early Childhood 
Congress is making decisions right now about fiscal year 2027 funding. These decisions will have lasting impacts on young children and families in Montana and across the nation. 

Take Action: Let your Montana Congressmen know how you feel about their support for strong federal investments to help ensure children are healthy, supported, and ready to learn by age five. Send a quick note by clicking the button below!

Telling Montana's Early Childhood Story in DC

Zero to Five Montana's Callie Parr (early childhood tribal coordinator) and Caitlin Jensen (executive director, along with daughter Maren) were honored to participate in the 2026 Child Care Aware of America Symposium in Arlington, VA, this week. 

Callie's presentation focused on the power of inter-tribal collaboration and how that work is shaping stronger systems for tribal communities. Caitlin served on a plenary panel and shared about the transformative impact of Montana’s Early Childhood Account, created through the GO Trust (HB 924) in the 2025 legislative session. The team also visited each of Montana's Congressional offices to advocate for federal CCDBG, Head Start/ Early Head Start, MIECHV, and PDG-B5 funding. 

We’re proud to have two of our team members sharing Montana’s momentum and learning alongside leaders from across the country who are turning bold ideas into real progress for children and families. Learn more about how you can get involved in early childhood advocacy.
 

Mark Your Calendar!

May 15: 2026 CONNECT Summit registration opens! This year's summit is July 28-29 at Fairmont Hot Springs, be sure to register & book your room (more info will available on May 15.)

May 26-28: Early Childhood Tribal Language Summit. Learn more about this annual gathering at Montana State University designed to share challenges and paths to success in Native language and culture acquisition. Don't forget to register by May 20.

May 27: Launch Labs: Engaging Families as True Partners in System Design & Decision-Making. The Montana Early Childhood Network is hosting this discussion related to the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services' early childhood strategic plan. Learn more and register.

June 11: Employer Forum for Child Care Solutions - Kalispell. This collaborative event will bring together employers, business leaders and community partners to discuss strategies around access to child care for Montana employees. See the agenda, and register here.

Montana Early Childhood Account Board Meets May 21

🏛️ Montana Early Childhood Account 
📆 Thursday, May 21, 10 a.m., Via Zoom

Meetings are open to the public and you can tune in via Zoom! Access the agenda, sign up for email updates and learn more about the board on the MECA web page.

Last legislative session, HB 924 established the Montana Early Childhood Account to support Montana’s early childhood system with an initial endowment of $10 million dollars. The board established to manage the account is working on strategies related to infant and toddler care, workforce recruitment and retention, developmental screenings and support through technology grants. 

Family Forward Montana Offers Free Resources for Employers

Family Forward Montana, part of the National Best Place for Working Parents® network, is Zero to Five Montana's initiative designed to help employers build workplaces that prioritize the well-being of employees and their families -- ultimately building a better future for their business, their employees, and our state.

We celebrated the work happening statewide during an April convening of the second cohort of Employer-Sponsored Child Care Grantees - their efforts have supported more than 215 Montana employees. Learn more about their strategies to recruit and retain staff by offering family-friendly benefits on the Family Forward Montana website.

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter featuring resources, sample policies and best practices to make your business one of Montana's Best Places for Working Parents®!  

Child Care Providers: Check out The CONNECTOR

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.

Leadership that Attracts & Retains:
Workforce Strategies for Child Care Leaders Training Tour

Child Care staff shortages happen – our statewide licensed Substitute Pool can help!

Let Zero to Five Montana Substitute Solutions be your support system. We are here to make sure sick days, and vacation days are manageable without sacrificing quality care or your peace of mind. Read the full blog and access subs here.

PARTNER NEWS & EVENTS

DPHHS announces Champions for
Montana's Children and Families Awards

Foster parents, child protection workers, youth, and non-profit organizations were honored on Thursday, April 16, during an awards ceremony in Missoula at the Hilton Garden Inn as part of the annual Montana Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect (PCAN) Conference sponsored by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. Learn more on the DPHHS website.