With the 2021 Legislative Session underway, we want to take this opportunity to offer our community some resources on child care. With the high cost and a statewide shortage of nearly 60% in licensed child care, many of Montana’s children don’t have access to safe quality care. Current circumstances including the pandemic have further stretched the need for child care to support our workforce. Below are tools to help you ask your legislators questions, understand the value, and help be a voice for child care in your community.
Why child care matters, even if you don’t have young children:
- The child care industry has a higher return on investment (ROI) than any other industry in Montana. (1) Click HERE to learn more about the ROI of child care.
- Child care is essential to the health of our local workforce and economy. (2) Click HERE to learn more about child care and the workforce.
- Research shows that 90% of brain development occurs in the first five years of life. (3) Click HERE to learn more about the long-term benefits of quality early care.
Tools to help you talk to your legislators:
- Child Care Aware of America- Advocacy Toolkit
- First Five Years Fund- 2020 Election Toolkit for Voters
- Mixed-Delivery Pre-K
- It’s About Time- Advocating for child care in MT
- Find your Montana Legislators
- Find your Federal Legislators
Early Childhood Issues in the 2021 Legislative Session:
- Montana Advocates for Children- 2021 Priorities
- Child Care Aware of America- 2020-2022 Public Policy Agenda
- Understanding Key Early Childhood Issues
COVID-19 Impacts:
- 2020 FFYF National Poll: Fact Sheet- Child Care is Essential
- COVID-19 Impact on Child Care- US Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Understanding the cost of quality child care:
- Why Does Child Care Cost so Much, But Providers Make so Little?
- The Younger the Child, the Lower the Pay for Early Educators
- MT Region 4 County Fact Sheets
Helpful resources for workforce development:
- CCC Employer-Supported Child Care Guide
- Family Forward Montana- Business Practices and Policies
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation- Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow: The Business Case for High-Quality Childcare
Resources for families:
- Choosing Quality Child Care
- Child Care Referrals
- Help to afford child care- The Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship
Child Care Connections is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocating for the well-being and quality care of children in Gallatin, Park, Meagher, Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater counties. Learn more and access resources at cccmontana.org or call (406) 587-7786.
*This page is an educational resource around current early childhood issues. This contents of this page do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Child Care Connections, our clients, staff, Board of Directors, partners, or funders.
Sources:
(1) http://s3.amazonaws.com/mildredwarner.org/attachments/000/000/169/original/report-5755193a.pdf
(2) http://lmi.mt.gov/Portals/193/Publications/LMI-Pubs/Articles/2018/0918-ChildcareInMontana.pdf
