Gallatin County task force outlines plan to expand childcare access, cites real‑time slot database as next priority

Bozeman City and Gallatin County officials and community partners on Feb. 5 heard a strategic plan from the Greater Gallatin Child Task Force aimed at making childcare more accessible and affordable, and at stabilizing the childcare workforce.

The task force, presented by Tori Sporiles, director of early learning at Greater Gallatin United Way, is recommending a coordinated approach that includes expanding provider support, better real‑time data on openings, employer engagement, and policy changes such as subsidy expansion. Sporiles told the Economic Vitality Board the group’s top near‑term priority is a wait‑list prioritization and real‑time slot database to show when licensed providers have openings.

Why it matters: the task force framed childcare as an economic issue that limits employers’ ability to hire and retain staff. Sporiles said “childcare is the workforce behind the workforce,” and cited local and national data showing lost productivity and workforce exits linked to childcare gaps. The task force says better data on slot availability and targeted supports for providers could reduce the number of workers leaving jobs because of childcare constraints.

What the plan covers: the task force…