Broadwater County Selected for the second cohort
 | Author:
Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent |
Broadwater County Selected for the second cohort Allison Kosto MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent Zero to Five, Montana's Child Care Business Connect’s community childcare capacity building program has wrapped up a successful first cohort and launched a second consisting of eight communities. This initiative aims to help communities identify solutions to boost the supply of affordable licensed/registered childcare in their area.
Over six months, participants will evaluate, enhance, establish, and expand both new and existing registered/licensed childcare programs.
The program is free for community members, thanks to ARPA funding granted through the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
“We firmly believe solutions to child care are rooted in communities," said Caitlin Jensen, Zero To Five Montana Executive Director. "Through our Community Capacity Building Cohorts, we have seen firsthand the incredible impact of collaborative efforts to support early childhood development. By bringing together community leaders and experts, we are able to maximize resources, share knowledge, and identify opportunities for positive change. We are proud to see the tangible results of this work in communities throughout Montana, and we remain dedicated to continuing this important work for the benefit of Montana families."
Some of the results from the first group of communities engaged in this work include the opening of a new childcare facility with 15 slots, an open house and new staff recruitment process for a new childcare facility, a media campaign to attract a childcare workforce, and the development of a childcare provider network.
Communities chosen for the second cohort are:
* Anaconda-Deer Lodge led by Michelle Harrington with Anaconda Community Involvement (ACI Inc.)
* Big Horn County led by Shelly Sutherland with the BHC Best Beginnings Coalition
* Broadwater County led by Allison Kosto with the MSU Extension-Broadwater County
* Cascade County led by KC Beall with Peace Place
* Jefferson County led by Rochelle Hesford with Southwest Montana Youth Partners
* Lincoln County led by Dorey Rowland with Zero to Five Lincoln County
* Sanders County led by Ray Brown with Sanders County Community Development
* Yellowstone County led by Maia Dickerson with United Way of Yellowstone County
For information on community selection and how to get involved, please reach out to Shelby Whelan, the MCCBC community navigator at shelbyw@zerotofive.org
