This Valentine’s Day, let’s show some love to the real heart of our communities—Montana’s child care workers! They pour their hearts into nurturing our kids, shaping the future, and keeping our economy strong. And guess what? 97% of them are women. Women who give their all, every day, to ensure families have the care they need. 

At WFM, we believe love means action—advocating for fair wages, better support, and a child care system that works for everyone. Because when we take care of the caregivers, we take care of Montana’s future. 

That’s why we’re celebrating the work of WFM grantee, Central Montana Childcare Alliance (CMCA)—a true champion for child care in rural Montana! CMCA has tackled child care deserts head-on, creating a strong support network for providers, helping to create hundreds of new child care slots, and ensuring that every town in Fergus, Judith Basin, and Petroleum Counties has local child care. 

Bills moving through the Montana State Legislature could make a big difference:

• HB 360 — Tabled in committee. This bill would have helped supplement child care worker wages. The bill it had a strong hearing on Feb. 6, with advocates showing up to highlight the huge gap between the cost of child care and what families can afford.
• HB 457 — This bill would expand Best Beginnings child care scholarship eligibility to 85% of state median income.
• HB 456 — This bill would provide Best Beginnings child care scholarships to child care workers.

Montana’s families and child care workers deserve real solutions—let’s keep the momentum going! 

Want to learn more about solutions to Montana’s childcare crisis? Check out the Montana Budget & Policy Center’s latest report: Montana’s Child Care Crisis: Workforce Solutions Are the Key to Progress.