Our Story
1969
Missoula and Mineral County Community Coordinated Child Care, Inc., or Missoula 4-C's (later to be named Child Care Resources) was founded, the first CCR&R in MT
1991
The Montana Child Care Resource and Referral Network formed an official organization with 12 regional members. Billings, Butte, Bozeman, Glasgow, Glendive, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Lewistown, Miles City, and Missoula
1996
R&R Network hired its first Executive Director. As the Network did not yet have its nonprofit status, the state grant contract was initially with CCR.
1997
R&R Network obtained 501 (c)(3) status.
2010
ECSB consolidated to 11 R&R regions for cost savings, combining Glendive and Miles City which were both operated by DEAP.
2016
ECSB consolidated CCR&R regions from 11 to 7 via a competitive RFP.
2019
The R&R Network received state funding to hire a Network Director which formed the basis for additional grant writing to strengthen the Network and statewide efforts.
2021
The Montana Child Care Resource and Referral Network changes it's name to Raise Montana to reflect expansion of organizational work.
2024
State ends R&R system through awarding one statewide contract for child care provider services and two contracts for family services.
2025
Raise Montana adopts new mission and programing focused on resiliency and collective power.
In 1996, Raise Montana, formerly Montana Child Care Resource & Referral Network, formed the statewide network for Montana’s regional Child Care Resource & Referral agencies. Raise Montana facilitated communities of practices, coordinated cross-agency communication and developed model policies to ensure these agencies implemented a coordinated and consistent early childhood system for both families and child care providers across Montana.
In 2019, Raise Montana broadened its programming to build capacity, drive innovation, and strengthen collaboration among early childhood partners working to make quality child care more affordable and available in Montana.
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In 2021, Raise Montana launched Montana Shared Services, the first statewide shared services program in a rural state. The program was co-created with child care professionals and offered telehealth, substitute staff, payroll, grants, resource library, discounts, job board, and a directory of child care friendly businesses.
In 2022, Raise Montana provided technical assistance and fiscal sponsorship to support two home-based child care professionals in establishing the Montana Family Childcare Network (MFCN).
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Significant changes to Montana’s early childhood system in late 2024 instigated the adoption of a new organizational approach that would respond to the new and evolving needs of our partners. Our organization facilitated an extensive planning process that centered the diverse perspectives of voices across Montana’s early childhood system. Raise Montana emerged with a renewed commitment to elevating Montana’s early childhood system by implementing a new approach that builds the resilience and advocacy skills of early childhood partners–equipping them to lead and sustain collective, systemic change.
