As Montanans Struggle To Access Affordable Child Care, Officials Can’t Agree On Solutions
Child care isn’t easy to find or pay for in Montana. While research shows the lack of affordable child care options has major impacts on the state’s economy and workforce, Montana lawmakers came out of the 2021 legislative session with fundamental disagreements about how to address the problem.
Mornings for Rose and George in their sunny, toy-cluttered two-bedroom apartment in the Gallatin Valley are full of highs and lows.
George spends mornings with his mom because Rose works a commercial cleaning job at night. It’s flexible, which is important to a single parent like Rose. She can add shifts when money’s tight and work around daytime appointments.