HomeMy WebLinkAboutChild Connect Presentation Updated 01.21.2026‹#›‹#›
Greater Gallatin United Way
CHILD CONNECT
Tori Sproles
Director of Early Learning
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SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1978.
FROM GALLATIN COUNTY, TO MADISON,
MEAGHER AND PARK COUNTIES WE ARE
MAKING PROGRESS IN BUILDING A
COMMUNITY WHERE ALL CAN THRIVE.
IMPROVE LIVES BY MOBILIZING
THE CARING POWER OF OUR
COMMUNITIES.
OUR MISSION
3
Impact Areas
Greater Gallatin United Way empowers working
families by providing the
critical support, resources, and opportunities they need
to build stable lives,
raise thriving children, and create a stronger future for us all.
SOLUTIONS FOR FAMILIES
•Access to high quality care
•Affordability of child care
•Availability of child care
•Breaking down barriers
SOLUTIONS FOR CHILD CARE BUSINESSES
•Cost of care studies
•Workforce supports
•Shared Services
•Professionalizing the field
POLICY & ADVOCACY
•Engaging with local and
state officials
•Providing education about
proposed policies and/or
subsidies
•Expanding access to care
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
•Surveying employers/
employees about child care
needs
•Employer supported tiered
implementation
•Business memberships
CHILD (COOPERATIVE, HOLISTIC, INNOVATIVE, LOCAL, DESIGN)
TASK FORCE
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CHILD TASK FORCE MEMBERS
ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
AFFORDABLE IF IT COSTS NO MORE THAN 7% OF A FAMILY’S INCOME.
The Montana median
income for a married
couple is $112,896, which
means center-based child
care for an infant would
use 13% of family income.
7%13%36%
The Montana median
income for a single parent
family is $41,602, which
means center-based child
care for an infant would
use 36% of family income.
The recommendation by
the U.S. Department of
Health and Human
Services is 7% of family
income.
Source: Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report
THE PRICE OF CHILD CARE REMAINS TOO
HIGH FOR MONTANA FAMILIES
In Montana, the average price of full -time child care is:
•Center-based⚬Infant/Toddler: $15,080/year⚬Preschool: $14,300/year
•Family child care (family/group programs)⚬Infant/Toddler: $11,700/year⚬Preschool: $10,400/year
Source: Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report
$
$
$
$
$
$
Annual child care price for 2 children (an infant and 4 year old) in a center
$$$
THE TRUE COST OF CHILD CARE IS FAR OUT OF REACH
FOR FAMILIES
$27,372
$15,080
$23,700
$11,700
($12,000)
($12,292)
To make up the
difference in what it
truly costs to provide
high -quality care,
providers end up
cutting wages and
benefits for workers.
Sources: Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report,
https://childcarebusinessconnect.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Center -Profile.pdf,
https://montanabudget.org/report/child -care-workforce-solutions
ACCESSIBILITY OF CHILD CARE IN MONTANA
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT YOU?
CHILD CARE AND THE WORKFORCE
Child care challenges kept an estimated 64,000
adult Montanans from fully engaging in the
workforce in 2024, roughly 11% of the total
civilian labor force reported by the Montana
Department of Labor and Industry for the year.
Source: The childcare crisis and Montana’s workforce
https://archive.legmt.gov/content/Publications/fiscal/2025-Biennium/MARA/DLI-Childcare-and-the-Montana-Workforce-Jan2024.pdf
HOW DOES THIS
IMPACT YOU?
CHILD CARE AND THE
WORKFORCE
Source: The childcare crisis and Montana’s workforce
https://archive.legmt.gov/content/Publications/fiscal/2025-
Biennium/MARA/DLI-Childcare-and-the-Montana-Workforce-Jan2024.pdf
40%40%
of businesses report difficulty
recruiting or retaining qualified
workers due to lack of child care
2.3%
Is the current unemployment rate for
Gallatin County
$55
million in lost business revenue
annually
30%
of Montana businesses say inadequate
child care has prevented their company
from growing
•Connects families to real -time child care openings
•Supports providers with tools and visibility
•Helps businesses strengthen their workforce
•Powered by Greater Gallatin United Way + Kinside
Child Connect is Greater Gallatin United Way’s
solution to the child care challenges —bringing
families, providers, and employers together for
local solutions.
SCAN TO LEARN MORE
CHILD CONNECT STATS (01.20.2026)
60%
of providers have
claimed profiles
11
presentations to local
businesses/boards/councils-
over 180 individuals
51
child care slots open across
4 counties
780
page views since
The launch (9/3)
BUSINESSES BENEFITS
Attract & Retain Talent
Boost Productivity
Simplify HR
Be Recognized as Family-Focused
WHY IT MATTERS FOR BUSINESSES & OUR COMM
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Expand Access for Families
Support Local Providers
Fund Scholarships for Working Families
Build a Sustainable Child Care System
FAMILY BENEFITS
Smart, personalized search
Location -based matching
Aligned philosophies
Easy one-stop platform
PROVIDER BENEFITS
The platform provides digital tools,
visibility, and admin support.
Provides ease in filling child care slots.
Tori Sproles
Director of Early Learning
CHILD Task Force Coordinator
tori@greatergallatinunitedway.org
CONTACT INFORMATION
TO LEARN MORE