MONTANA - Finding childcare is a significant challenge for working families across the state. Zero to Five Montana is stepping in with specialized grants available for employers to help ease this burden.
Finding childcare is a significant challenge for working families across the state. Zero to Five Montana is stepping in with specialized grants available for employers to help ease this burden.
The grants are part of the Family Forward Montana Initiative, which aims to support a wide range of industries throughout Montana. Shelby Whelan, Zero to Five Montana's Community Navigator, highlighted the program's flexibility. "The beauty of this program is that there are so many different ways that employers can use these funds, depending on their need, their business, and their community," she said.
These grants are open to a wide range of businesses, from large hospitals to small mom-and-pop shops - and they can take on a multitude of forms.
However, childcare organizations themselves are not eligible to apply directly for the grants. They are encouraged to partner with other local businesses that plan to apply. The grant amounts range from $10,000 to $100,000, and last year, 20 employers received funding and reported success in their approaches.
Bev Matsko, Opportunities Incorporated Agency Deputy Director for Early Childhood Services & Program Operations, told our team about the struggles they had staffing their organization, especially during the summer months, “We had staff members who couldn't work during the summer due to lack of childcare. We had new hires who were declining positions because they had no reliable childcare available.”
Matsko said that their team opted to roll out an onsite childcare service for their staff - a huge success for them this summer. One parent spoke to Opportunities Inc. about their experience, "Knowing my kids are well cared for, having fun, and actually look forward to going to camp each day has made my life so much easier and less stressful. I cannot thank this program enough."
"I already knew how high-quality our childcare program was before enrolling my child, but now I’ve experienced it firsthand. Knowing my child is in a safe, nurturing environment gives me peace of mind and allows me to stay focused and fully engaged at work," stated another parent.
The application deadline for this grant funding is Sunday, August 24. Whelan urged businesses considering applying to seize the opportunity, saying, "If you're ever in that point in your board meetings or your staff meetings and you're like, gosh, is this something that we should really get into? We've been hemming and hawing about it... I would encourage you to put in your proposal this time around because you might not get another opportunity."
Zero to Five Montana is offering to speak one-on-one with employer applicants to help them craft their proposals. They are also hosting several webinars through the end of July and August.
July 30: Sponsoring Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) and offering tuition benefits
July 31: On-site or near-site child care
Aug. 1: Community infrastructure investments
Aug. 5: Establishing priority waitlist partners; reserving slots in local childcare programs; and providing backup care options Find more information
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