Forum raises childcare problems in Great Falls

Great Fall – the Great Chamber of Commerce Falls organized a group of community leaders and organizations in relation to the state of the city. One topic in the meeting was the city's lack of staff, which is partly due to a lack of childcare within the community.

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The Chamber Forum emphasizes problems with the care of care

The Great Falls Chamber of Commerce organized a group of community leaders and organizations in relation to the state of the city. A big topic at this meeting was the city's lack of work, which was partly due to a lack of childcare within the community.

During the committee, Great Fall Falls Development Alliance discussed the latest grant financing, which cover an updated evaluation of childcare in the community and the need for additional childcare slots. The last study was completed in 2021 and showed a deficiency of 580 childcare slots.

Jenn Gallmeier, Vice President of Investment at Great Falls Development Alliance, explains: “We accept this data and can then demonstrate the demand in our market and go to existing childcare providers, ask you whether you are interested in an extension because we can prove the demand.”

The results of the study are used to show a proven need for childcare and bring more providers to the community, to prompt current providers to expand their services and persuade entrepreneurs to open new day care centers.

The GFDA hopes that more employees can return to work by fulfilling the need for childcare and can help with the current lack of work. Gallmeier says: “It's just like a trick effect. If you now have no child during the day, you cannot leave the child alone and go to work.”

The lack of childcare lies over big falls. In Fort Benton, the board and Celeste Pike have a cleaning shop called 3 Suns Cleaning Services. Since the closure of their previous daycare center, they have tried to find stable childcare for their young children, and force a parent to stay at home and slow down business.

Brett Pike explains: “There is a big fight in our community for it. My wife and I have to exchange ideas about who works instead of working in different classes for different customers and improving this income.”

The lack of children is expanding nationwide. The Montana Department of Labor & Industry reported that licensed childcare in 2023 only fulfilled 44% of demand in the state.

More information about the search and payment for childcare, Click here to visit family connections; or Click here to visit Raise Montana.