What’s happening in Washington
Late last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2026 Labor‑HHS‑Education funding bill, which includes a $1.329 billion allocation for 21st Cent CCLC, the only dedicated federal funding stream for before‑school, after‑school, and summer programs, maintaining funding at the same level as FY 2025.
This is a crucial development. Earlier this summer, proposed budget cuts threatened to eliminate 21st CCLC funds entirely, collapsing them into a broader block grant. But bipartisan Senate leaders pushed back, protecting funding and adding provisions requiring timely release of formula grants to states. The budget now heads to the full Senate and still must be reconciled with the House version, so there’s work ahead.
What does this mean for kidsLINK and your community?
The funding freeze this summer created an ongoing cloud of uncertainty, but it did not stop us from moving forward.
The state is proceeding with our 21st CCLC application and grant award, so at Greater Gallatin United Way, we are pushing forward with all of our programming and expanding access to new communities as planned. Afterschool enrollment has opened for the 2025-26 school year, with a record number of families already registered.
We believe in these programs, which deliver safe, supportive environments for over 1,200 local children annually while enabling parents to work and sustaining local businesses.
Why your support still matters
We expect the federal budget to be finalized by September, but until then, kidsLINK remains in a precarious position. Uncertainty continues to affect planning, staffing, and family confidence.
That’s why united we thrive. When our community comes together, we protect the programs that:
- Keep our workforce thriving
- Support children’s academic, social, and emotional development
- Secure the future of our community
What You Can Do Now
- Support our mission—every contribution helps ensure kidsLINK remains strong and ready, no matter what the budget brings.
- Stay informed—we will continue to share updates as Congress moves toward a final FY 2026 budget.
- Share your story about how kidsLINK impacts your family or business—personal voices drive policy.
Thanks to our community’s swift action—sharing personal stories, signing petitions, and speaking directly with legislators—our voices were heard on the importance of afterschool programs like kidsLINK. By coming together, we continue to show lawmakers that these programs are not optional extras, but essential resources that keep kids safe, help them thrive, and allow parents to work. Your advocacy is making a difference in the fight to protect funding and ensure these opportunities remain available for every family who needs them.
Thank you for standing with us. In uncertainty, our unity is our greatest strength.
Together, we can ensure that when the budget is settled in September—kidsLINK and Afterschool programs are still there for Montana’s families.
