Incentive to boost childcare workforce, access to child care
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Gov. Gianforte reads to children at a day care center in Helena in 2023.
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HELENA — Together with Department of Public Health and Human Services’ Director Charlie Brereton, Governor Greg Gianforte recently announced $3 million in incentives to boost Montana’s childcare workforce.
“Montana’s childcare providers support our hard-working families,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We look forward to making this funding available to ensure providers who care for our children, while raising their own, continue this important service in our communities.”
Made available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Childcare Worker Childcare Scholarship Program, the funding is available to parents who are also a staff member working at a licensed, registered childcare facility.
The governor and director announced the funding as part of the Montana Bright Futures project, which they unveiled earlier this year to increase access to quality childcare, promote strong, healthy families, and address childcare workforce availability, recruitment, and retention.
“The incentive funding aligns with the goals we’ve established to help support Montana’s childcare industry while targeting specific needs identified through research,” Director Brereton said. “We encourage eligible Montanans to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Over half of the employers who responded to the 2022 Montana Childcare Licensing Assessment indicate that childcare availability limits employee recruitment by 63% and retention by 55%.
According to a 2019 Needs Assessment in Montana’s Early Childhood System, the average cost of full-time childcare for an infant in Montana is $9,000 and $7,900 for a 4-year-old child.
“Childcare is one of the highest expenses for working families,” Director Brereton said. “In Montana, 10% of families note having to quit a job, not taking a job, or changing jobs because of the cost of childcare. This funding will allow parents to remain working in our childcare system and increase retention for employers.”
DPHHS estimates over 300 caregivers are eligible to receive the benefit for one year upon application approval. For a full list of eligibility requirements or to apply, go to: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/ecfsd/childcare/PDGB-5system/Child_Care_Worker_Flyer.pdf
