Childcare Initiative

The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce’s child care initiative aims to address a growing workforce challenge - the need for the workforce to have access to quality, affordable child care in the Missoula area. 
 
Our research found that a lack of child care in Missoula is severely impacting the workforce, with many parents scaling back or leaving their careers entirely due to child care issues. Employers face challenges in retaining employees and attracting new ones. Parents who wish to return or remain in the workforce need a place for their children to learn and grow. Encouraging growth in this vital industry has become a key initiative for the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
To date, the work of the Chamber in the realm of child care has led to recognition on the local, state and national level – including an invitation to the White House to discuss the role Chambers can play in helping address this important workforce need. We have completed two surveys, created seven community models, and made the connections that led to the first for-profit business in a vacant county school building.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding link.

Need More Information? 
ARPA Contact Center: 844-406-ARPA (2772)
Email the ARPA Contact Center at arpa.mt.gov

Visit DPHHS for more information on this ARPA program

Missoula Area Chamber's Child Care Associate Membership

In the Fall of 2021, Missoula Chamber of Commerce partnered with ChildCare Resources of Missoula to onboard our first group of Associate Child Care Members.  The Associate Child Care Membership is a tool for child care providers to access the benefits of membership for small, private and in home caregivers.  Childcare Resources sponsored the membership cost of $50 for the first year while businesses in our community are beginning to adopt those Associate Child Care members for their second year of membership.  It is our hope that business and child care providers will build ongoing relationships and connection that benefit the care providers, the businesses and their workforce directly.

If you are a Child Care provider and are interested in joining the Chamber as an Associate member contact us for more information.
If you are a Missoula Business interested in supporting child care in our community by adopting a provider contact us for more information.
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Kim Latrielle, CEO/President of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, Appointed as Chairperson of the Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council (MECAC)
 
Missoula, Montana, June 17, 2021 – The Department of Public Health and Human Services, Early Childhood and Family Support Division has announced the appointment of Kim Latrielle as the new Chairperson on the Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council.  
 
The Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council, appointed by DPHHS, represents interested constituency groups, governmental agencies, the public at large, child care providers, state and local representatives, and Tribes.  The Council provides advice concerning state early care and education and the professionals that support families and young children.   The Council’s purpose is not only to improve collaboration and coordination across the spectrum of governmental and non-profit organizations providing early childhood services, but to serve as a connector cross sector, bridging community and state needs for early childhood issues. 
 
“It is truly an honor to be appointed to this position. I look forward to strengthening childcare for our workforce in Montana.”
 
Kim Latrielle, President/CEO of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, has been working side by side with business in Missoula for over 40 years.  She has a passionate understanding of the business workforce structure and an understanding of the critical need for the child care industry to thrive and support working parents.  Kim has led a collaboration with area child care providers and advocates to address the continued need for additional childcare, including school age care.  In 2020 Kim led the Missoula Chamber in a survey that identified childcare as a critical workforce issue.   In 1999 Kim represented Montana in Washington DC as an advocate and critical thinker on early childhood issues and business models that might support community. 

Early Childhood Tools for Employers

Check out the resources below to find helpful local information about family friendly employment practices, childcare, and early childhood developement.
 Missoula Are Chamber of Commerce Featured Child Care Providers

Status Updates

- Supporting Child Care Task Force proposal at 2021 Legislative session.
- Collaborating with area child care providers and advocates to address continued need for additional 0-5 aged child care.
- Collaborating with area child care providers and advocates to address growing need for school-aged child care.
- Working with Missoula County Public Schools to identify opportunities to use vacant school buildings for child care.

Missoula YMCA

Since 1967, the Missoula YMCA has supported families and provided child care. Offering programs for before and after school and 30+ summer programs, the YMCA is dedicated to supporting Missoula families. Financial assistance is available for all programs. 

Our Story

In the fall of 2018, the Chamber surveyed the business community to better understand the need for quality, affordable childcare and it's impact on the workforce. With more than 550 responses, we found that there were over 1,000 children on a waiting list to receive care. Further, 47% of respondents indicated they had either scaled back or abandoned their career due to a lack of childcare options. 
By the fall of 2019, three of the proposed models have begun to see movement. A local business, opened their own child care facility within their business for their employees. Cold Springs, an abandoned elementary school, will be renovated to create a new child care facility for over 150 children by Mark Roberts of Missoula Early Learning Center. And, Missoulians have partnered with franchises to create their own in-home centers. 

Chamber Models

MODEL #1
The creation of a child care facility that is housed within the business for their employees.
MODEL #2
Develop and existing large capacity child care facility into a campus for a single large employer.
MODEL #3
Collaboration between two or more businesses to combine efforts to create a facility for their sector of town.
MODEL #4
Utilize a vacant school building to open a new, or expand and existing, facility. 
MODEL #5
Incorporate a child care facility in current development projects. 
MODEL #6
Develop a child care center in a shopping center. 
MODEL #7
Partner those not returning to their career with a franchise to open an in-home child care center. 

Related Articles

Read the full story in the Funders For Montana's Children article

Download our 2020 survey results and summary.

At The White House


In December 2019, the CEO of Missoula Chamber, Kim Latrielle, was invited to take part in a summit at the White House about child care and family leave. The leadership shown by Missoula Chamber in addressing this important workforce and community need was recognized by the highest levels of government. They were asked to take part in the event and share the lessons they have learned along the way, while explaining the models identified in Missoula.  The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce was one of just a few Chambers at the summit, illustrating the Chamber's role as a catalyst for change in our community. 

Download our initial 2018 survey results and summary.
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825 E Front St  |  Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: (406) 543-6623 | info@missoulachamber.com