What challenges is Northwest Montana Head Start facing?

Northwest Montana Head Start is contending with three years of flat federal funding, significant workforce shortages, and a decline in enrollment since the pandemic began.

How does Head Start support vulnerable children?

Head Start provides free quality preschool, nutritious meals, and essential health screenings for children aged 3-5 from low-income families.

What is being done to address staffing issues at Head Start?

Northwest Montana Head Start increased staff wages by nearly 20% to improve retention and aid recruitment in a challenging job market.

Home / Education / Montana Preschool Fights Flat Funding Woes

Montana Preschool Fights Flat Funding Woes

21 Dec

•

Summary

Northwest Montana Head Start serves 132 children, down from 192.
Program faces flat funding, workforce shortages, and lower enrollment.
Wage increases of nearly 20% aim to improve staff retention.

Montana Preschool Fights Flat Funding Woes

Northwest Montana Head Start, established in Kalispell in 1969, is currently facing operational strains due to persistent funding issues and staffing challenges. The program, which serves children aged 3-5, has seen its enrollment decrease from 192 to 132 children. This reduction was partly a consequence of the pandemic and a critical shortage of qualified staff to maintain previous service levels.

In response to these challenges, the program has implemented a nearly 20% wage increase for its staff, a move designed to enhance both retention and recruitment in a competitive job market. As a grant-funded entity, Head Start is restricted in its ability to generate revenue beyond its federal allocations, making it difficult to address rising costs and the increasing cost of living in the region.

Despite these obstacles, Northwest Montana Head Start remains committed to its mission of providing comprehensive early childhood education. The program offers nutritious meals, health screenings, and crucial social-emotional development support, preparing children for their transition into kindergarten. Recent legislative actions and ongoing lawsuits nationally have also highlighted broader concerns regarding Head Start's funding stability and its ability to serve diverse communities effectively.