In 2025, Zero to Five Montana, in partnership with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Bright Futures Birth to Five federal grant program, awarded $2 million in grant funding across two cohorts of employers to develop and implement child care benefits for their employees.

The 19 members of the first cohort are listed below along with the child care strategies they have put in place or are piloting. The second cohort began their work in October 2025 and will report on their work in 2026.

COHORT 1 GRANTEES

AdvicePay, Inc. – Bozeman
About: We are a software company providing a product to financial advisors that helps them streamline their billing and payment processing services, maintaining regulatory compliance, and building businesses that allow them to make financial planning advice accessible to everyone, and not just the already affluent. AdvicePay has existed since 2016 and was publicly launched in 2018 and has been headquartered in Bozeman since the beginning.
Strategy: Offering tuition benefits

Alpine Physical Therapy – Missoula
About: For over 20 years, Alpine Physical Therapy has modeled how to do health care the right way. We inspire our patients and community to improve their lives and wellbeing with easy to access needed PT care. We strive to support our employees throughout their careers with a family friendly workplace, continued learning and professional growth opportunities. Alpine PT provides expert, comprehensive care for all members of our community, at six locations, including two urgent care PT clinics.
Strategy: Sponsoring dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs)

Big Sandy Pharmacy – Big Sandy
About: We are a small independent pharmacy in rural Montana. We provide services to the community, local group home, hospital and long term care facility. Big Sandy Pharmacy has been open since 2010 and our sister store in Stanford, MT was opened in February of 2024.
Strategy: Offering tuition benefits

Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce – Hamilton
About: The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization, dedicated to representing every one of its members while amplifying the collective voice of business to advocate economic vitality, quality of life, and the preservation of the competitive enterprise system. The Bitterroot Valley Chamber has served the valley for over 100 years. Currently, our focus is on workforce development, childcare affordability and accessibility, and relationship-building initiatives for our members.
Strategy: Community infrastructure investments (priority waitlist for child care)

Choteau School District – Choteau
About: Nestled along Montana’s stunning Rocky Mountain Front, Choteau School District serves as the heart of our small, close-knit community. We offer a high-quality education to all 360+ students with small class sizes, a 13:1 student-teacher ratio, and strong academic and extracurricular programs. Choteau School District is known for its dedicated educators, commitment to student success, and a deep commitment to local families.
Strategy: Offering tuition benefits

Dutton/Brady Public School District – Dutton
About: Dutton/Brady Public School is the largest employer in the Dutton and Brady area. Purpose of the school is to educate children. Mission Statement is: “A Well-Rounded Education for Students to Confidently Navigate Their World.” The vision statement is: “Mastery today…..success tomorrow.” The first bell rang as the Dutton Public School in 1910. Dutton and Brady consolidated districts in 2006 and have been together since. As of 2022, the district has offered affordable daycare to the region.
Strategy: Community infrastructure investments, Providing on-site or near-site child care

Echo Church – Helena
About: Echo Church is a non-profit organization that exists to serve those in Helena Montana. Our mission is to extend the love of Jesus to those around us.
Strategy: Providing on-site or near-site child care programs

ExplorationWorks – Helena
About: Established in 2000, ExplorationWorks has a mission to ignite a lifelong love for science to enrich Montana’s future. We offer interactive STEM exhibits, programs, workshops, classes, and camps for kids and families, as well as school and community groups. We also have an onsite child care center (ages 2 – 5) open 7:30 am – 5:30 pm available to staff employees and open to the public.
Strategy: Providing backup care options

Geraldine Public Schools – Geraldine
About: Public School since 1914, providing EL-12 educational services.
Strategy: Offering tuition benefits

Geyser Public Schools – Geyser
About: We are a small, but dedicated school. Employees benefit from a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere, small class sizes, & the opportunity to build relationships with students, parents, & colleagues. There are unique challenges working in a rural setting & we strive to support our staff through flexible work arrangements & a commitment to work-life balance.
Strategy: Offering tuition benefits

Greater Gallatin United Way – Bozeman
About: Since 1978, Greater Gallatin United Way (GGUW) has united individuals, businesses, and nonprofits to strengthen our community. Focusing on basic needs, early learning, youth success, and mental health, GGUW leads programs, convenes local partners, educates, and advocates to drive lasting change. Initiatives like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the kidsLINK Out-of-School Initiative, and Community Impact Grants provide resources to empower working families and uplift our community.
Strategy: Community infrastructure investments

Hobson School District – Hobson
About: Hobson Public School is a rural, community-driven educational institution in Hobson, Montana, established in 1930. The district provides education to all grades pre-K through high school. We recognize the unique challenges of working in a rural district and are committed to providing the necessary resources to promote a positive work-life balance. This includes exploring innovative ways to support our employees, such as expanding childcare options to better meet their needs.
Strategy: Reserving slots in local child care programs

Joliet Public Schools – Joliet
About: Joliet Public Schools is contained within a single K-12 building and serves a rural, ranching, and agricultural community. There are just over 400 students enrolled in our K-12 program. Our core purpose is to educate each child to be successful. We do this through engagement and collaboration with our families, staff, and community. We are driven by our core values of pride, integrity, work ethic, empathy, and belonging.
Strategy: Providing on-site or near-site child care programs

Livingston HealthCare – Livingston
About: Livingston HealthCare is a nonprofit Critical Access Hospital serving Park County since 1955. With 25 beds and a Level IV trauma designation, we deliver comprehensive rural care. Services include primary and specialty care, surgery (including robotic), emergency, OB, cancer care, rehab, home health and hospice, and behavioral health. Through our Billings Clinic affiliation, we offer visiting specialists and telehealth in key disciplines.
Strategy: Offering tuition benefits

Moccasin Mountain Health Clinic, Inc – Lewistown
About: Moccasin Mountain Health Clinic, established in 2024 in Lewistown, MT, is a women-owned and led family medicine clinic offering comprehensive primary care services to patients of all ages, with a focus on prevention, treatment, and wellness.
Strategy: Offering tuition benefits

Opportunities, Inc. – Great Falls
About: Opportunities, Inc. has proudly served the Montana community for decades, delivering innovative, impactful programs and solutions. We have a strong history of successfully rolling out initiatives that meet the evolving needs of our community. Our deep commitment to our employees and their families drives our hope and want to offer on-site child care as a key benefit. As an employer who truly cares, we are the right agency to sponsor and operate a child care facility for our staff.
Strategy: Providing on-site or near-site child care programs

Opportunity Bank of Montana – Helena
About: Opportunity Bank of Montana is a full-service community bank with locations across Montana, offering customers a range of banking, lending, agricultural, and digital banking services. Our more than century-long commitment to our customers and our communities has earned our reputation as a leader in community banking. Since our first day in August 1922, we have been a Montana born community financial institution committed to providing strong financial futures for Montanans.
Strategy: Sponsoring dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs)

Superior School District – Superior
About: We are a public school in Western Montana. We have 3 schools in the district; Superior Elementary, Superior Junior High & Superior High School. Our total enrollment is 327 students, grades ELP-12. Our area has 2 registered daycare facilities; one only accepts up to 3 older kids, the other is currently filled to capacity, so our up and coming teacher/parents to be are going to need a safe & licensed facility for their littles. Additional openings will be offered to community members.
Strategy: Providing on-site or near-site child care programs

Winifred School District – Winifred
About: The Winifred Public School is a small, rural/frontier school district committed to providing high-quality education to students in our close-knit community. Winifred is located in Fergus County in a predominantly agricultural region and our district serves 152 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Our staff of 33 educators works diligently to foster a supportive and dynamic learning environment that prepares students for future success.
Strategy: Providing on-site or near-site child care programs