Montana Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis

Zero to Five Montana, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Birth-5 Bright Futures grant, and national experts Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies, partnered on a comprehensive fiscal analysis of our state’s early childhood system to help develop a shared vision to improve services for all Montana children.

What did this one-year fiscal analysis process look like?

• Deep engagement with key constituents across the prenatal to five system
• Establishing a fiscal vision and guiding principles to support work that advances a robust prenatal to five system
• Analysis of the current revenues supporting prenatal to five services in Montana
• Development of cost estimation models for child care and home visiting/family support, and the systems needed to support these programs
• Identification of recommendations to support advancing the states goals for the prenatal to five system

The process began May 29, 2024, in Helena with a broad group of early childhood stakeholders including child care providers, home visiting providers, early intervention providers, child care resource and referral agencies, representatives from higher education, state governmental agencies, early childhood coalitions, and more. A final convening was held Nov. 13, 2025, to share fiscal analysis outputs with the broader constituent group and work together on strategies for implementation. In addition to the comprehensive fiscal analysis content, this meeting also highlighted the newly completed Early Childhood Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan. All three reports are supported through the DPHHS BFB5 program, and together provide a strong foundation for future planning and investment in Montana’s prenatal to five system.