HELENA — Lack of access to childcare in the Treasure State has been a topic of discussion for years.

An estimated 66,000 Montana parents with young children are still not actively fully participating in the workforce due to this issue, according to Zero to Five Montana. Employer Forum for Childcare Solutions brainstorms for the future of Montana's labor force and childcare

"Childcare is a vital and important topic in Montana because the state is experiencing a labor shortage," Amy Watson, Montana Department of Labor & Industry chief economist, says. "We have more job openings than we do unemployed individuals who are looking for work."

For many parents of young children, if they want to work in Montana, they need childcare, and without it, some parents cannot take part in the labor for

See Full Page