Montana

House bill aims to expand childcare access to daycare and preschool employees in Montana

Published

1 year ago

April 19, 2025

House bill aims to expand childcare access to daycare and preschool employees in Montana

BILLINGS — A bill that would increase access to childcare for daycare and preschool employees is in the works at the Montana Legislature.

House Bill 456 would grant employees of childcare facilities access to the Best Beginnings Scholarship. It’s a federal and state funded program that helps cover the costs of childcare. The scholarship is awarded to families earning less than 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

Employees from Little Seeds Early Childhood Center, a Billings daycare and preschool, are in support of HB 456.

See the video for this story below:

House bill aims to expand childcare access to daycare and preschool employees in Montana

Little Seeds is located in Downtown Billings below the First United Methodist Church. The childcare facility has been around for more than 30 years, and accepts children from six-weeks-old to five-years-old.

“You don’t get into the business of daycare for the money. You get into the business of daycare for the kids and helping them,” said Shelby Scharen, the executive director of Little Seeds.

Mack Carmack, MTN News

Scharen has worked at the daycare since she was a teenager, and before then volunteered at daycares with her mom.

“It’s a hard job to do, but it’s the most rewarding job to do,” she said Friday.

Scharen told MTN that the daycare currently has 70 children. She says while it’s a rewarding job, it’s also stressful and overwhelming at times.

“We’ve lost a few staff, because it’s just easier for them to stay at home and have their spouses work, then it is for them to work here, and have their check go to the daycare that they have to pay,” Scharen said.

Scharen said employees get discounted rates for their child’s daycare tuition, however it still comes out to about $200 a month. She said low wages don’t make the job any easier.

“We have four staff members here who are parents, who would greatly benefit from being able to be on Best Beginnings,” Scharen said.

Scharen is in support of HB 456, as she says it would benefit the hard working employees at Little Seeds.

While Scharen doesn’t have children herself, she has seen the impact of Best Beginnings, as Little Seeds accepts recipients of the scholarship.

“It’s great because it gives these kids an opportunity that they would not normally have,” said Scharen.

Sponsor of HB 456, Representative Jonathan Karlen (D-Missoula), says daycare workers are underpaid and under-appreciated. Karlen told MTN Friday that the average childcare worker makes $23,000 a year, so he wanted to expand Best Beginnings, to allow them to work without the financial burden.

“Childcare (has) become unaffordable, and there’s a real shortage of skilled people to work in childcare. Part of that is the low pay,” he said on a virtual interview.

HB 456 passed in the House, but was tabled in committee. However, Karlen is still optimistic the bill will pass in the short time the Legislature has left.

“The social skills, the kind of foundational educational skills kids learn in a childcare-type setting, really help prepare them for K-12,” he said.

Karlen told MTN that the bill had no opponents testify in the House and had enormous support from teachers, childcare workers, and businesses. The biggest criticism while in the House was the fiscal impact of the bill.

“There’s people that say it’s too expensive. My response to that is, each childcare worker represents more parents who want to work, being able to work,” said Karlen.

According to Karlen, the bill would create positive long-term impacts, eventually expanding spots in daycares and preschools for more children, as less staff turnover is expected.

“This is one of those issues that transcends both urban and rural Montana,” said Karlen.

The Legislature has less than two weeks of their session left. Until then, Scharen and her employees at Little Seeds are hopeful it passes, so they can continue to provide high quality care without the monetary stress.

“I don’t see any problems with this. I only see it helping us,” she said.

Source link

Related Topics:billings Daycare education Featured House Montana News Montana State Legislature preschool Senate

Click to comment

Montana

Escobar on Camp East Montana

Published

10 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Press Room

While jobs are not on the line at the Ysleta Independent School District, the school district faces another budget year with a deficit for its ongoing operations.

District officials are recommending an operating budget with a deficit that may be up to $15 million, mainly driven by falling school enrollment and funding from the State of Texas. SISD anticipates collecting $379 million in revenue for the 2026-2027 year.

Superintendent Xavier De La Torre said the district plans on selling properties, offering incentives to teachers and administrators interested in retirement and consolidating the Cesar Chavez Academy with the Thrive Academy to address YISD’s financial challenges.

https://www.ktsm.com/news/ysleta-isd-counting-on-school-consolidation-attrition-property-sales-to-deal-with-budget-crunch/

Source link

Montana

Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks

Published

20 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Press Room

Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks

BOZEMAN — Montana’s rivers are still running high and cold this spring — and while that’s good news for fish, it poses serious risks for recreators.

Even with a lighter-than-average snowpack, river conditions across the state remain hazardous. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is urging anyone planning to get on the water to prepare carefully, know current conditions, and understand every hazard along the full length of their route before launching.

WATCH: Montana’s rivers are still running high and cold this spring — even with lighter snowpack. Before you hit the water, FWP says preparation could save your life

Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks

Morgan Jacobsen of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks pointed to specific locations as examples of the dangers that can catch people off guard.

“The Highway 89 Bridge has some, you know, particular dangers at that site with the pylons of the bridge, and that’s caused problems for people before, so knowing your trip and knowing what hazards exist as best you can, doing that research is always a good idea,” Jacobsen said.

Spring runoff serves an important ecological function for Montana’s fisheries, acting as a kind of seasonal reset for rivers and streams.

“Flooding plays an important ecological function. It washes out sediment and provides new, clean gravels that are important for fish spawning. Creates new habitat for a variety of species, and it’s a good thing, but when it comes to recreation, it’s something you’ve got to be careful with,” Jacobsen said.

FWP is not discouraging people from getting on the water, but the agency is emphasizing that safety planning must come first — especially during high water.

“We’re not saying people can’t come on the water by any means, and you know, especially in high flooding conditions, and because of those dangers, it’s not recommended, but if you are going to recreate, you know, you’re doing it at your own risk. Make sure that you take precautions so that you can make it home safely,” Jacobsen said.

Anyone heading out on Montana’s rivers this spring should check current conditions, know their route, carry and wear a personal flotation device, and be prepared for water that was snow just minutes before entering the river.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Source link