FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 10 2025
Contact: Jon Ebelt, Communications Director, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov
Montana Children’s Trust Fund Partners with 63 Organizations to Celebrate Strengthening Families Month
The Montana Children’s Trust Fund (MCTF) is partnering with 63 organizations across 21 communities to celebrate Strengthening Families Month in April.
MCTF representatives say Strengthening Families Month is a time to promote the safety and well-being of Montana's children and the value of child abuse prevention in order to build strong foundations for families.
In addition, nearly 11,000 blue pinwheels will be ‘planted’ across the state to raise awareness about this important effort. The MCTF also aims to highlight the many resources and services available to parents.
“Parenting isn’t easy, but we want Montanans to know they aren’t alone,” said MCTF manager MacKenzie Forbis. “Resilient families flourish within supportive communities. Everyone deserves to feel they’re supported.”
The MCTF is a Department of Public Health and Human Services program administered by a seven-member, Governor-appointed volunteer board representing professions involved in the protection of children. It leads the state’s efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect by raising awareness, educating families about parenting skills and child development, and providing grant funding to local prevention programs.
Last year, the MCTF granted funds to five organizations around the state that helped more than 650 families, including over 1,000 children, gain access to the support they needed.
Current MCTF grantees include the Bitterroot Early Learning Network in Hamilton, Mountain Home Montana in Missoula, and Toby’s House Crisis Nursery in Great Falls. These organizations offer a wide variety of community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities such as parenting classes, youth development programs, respite care, connection to social supports, family activities, trauma-informed child care, and other efforts to strengthen and support families.
To learn more about Strengthening Families Month and how communities can get involved, visit the MCTF website.