Montana is in the grip of a severe childcare crisis, affecting families like the Cochranes who struggle to find reliable care for their young children. With costs consuming a significant portion of household incomes and available childcare meeting less than half of demand, many parents face daunting challenges. Lauren and Kyle Cochrane juggle remote work while navigating makeshift childcare arrangements, highlighting the strain on working families.

At Salish Kootenai College, initiatives like a one-year certification program aim to bolster the childcare workforce and support parent-students like Hayley Salois. Despite these efforts, early childhood education remains underfunded, with low wages and few benefits hindering recruitment. Advocates stress the critical link between accessible childcare and economic vitality, urging for increased support for childcare providers to secure Montana's future.

In response to COVID-19, the childcare issue gained prominence, emphasizing the need for affordable, accessible childcare to support Montana's workforce. Despite initiatives like the certification program at Salish Kootenai College, challenges persist due to underfunding and low wages in early childhood education. Advocates, including Allison Wilson at the University of Montana, emphasize the urgency of investing in childcare to bolster the state's economic future and support families grappling with these disparities.