Montanans Agree: Families Need More Support from Government

Headwaters Foundation recently commissioned research to hear directly from Montanans about the challenges young families face, and the programs designed to help them. The study shows that across political lines, Montanans see today’s economy as especially tough on families with young children and broadly support programs that help them get by. 

The research, conducted by nonpartisan firm PerryUndem, included focus groups in Montana and a national survey that included a large group of Montana voters. This study aimed to cut through partisan political noise and find common ground where real solutions can grow.

What We Heard from Montanans

• Families with young children need support. 98% of Montanans say families are struggling with everyday costs right now, and 61% say the government is doing too little to help.
• Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP are unpopular. 65% of Montanans oppose the reductions in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Most are concerned about rural hospital closure (81%), children losing healthcare coverage (82%), and more families experiencing hunger (84%) as a result of this bill.
• Childcare is a major challenge. Parents described childcare as hard to find and unaffordable, with 43% of Montanans currently worried about childcare costs. Best Beginnings scholarships and Head Start came up as lifelines for those who qualify. 
• Public assistance programs should be easier to access. 77% of Montanans say it should be easier for families to enroll in programs when they need help. Many believe state income thresholds are too low and shut out families who are struggling to make ends meet. 
• Montanans support programs that help children and families, and don’t want them cut. CHIP, WIC, Head Start, Medicaid, TANF, and SNAP have strong (84% +) bipartisan support among Montanans. Only 14% support decreasing funding for Medicaid, and fewer than 22% support cuts to any program.
• Waste and abuse concerns exist, but so does skepticism. While 65% of Montanans worry about misuse of programs, 63% think politicians exaggerate the problem to justify cuts to support for children and families.
• Family-friendly policies resonate across the nation. National survey data demonstrated that most respondents are open to ideas like state paid family leave programs (82%), child tax credits (87%), and paying childcare workers more (89%).

Bottom line: this research shows that Montanans agree on more than we might think. People want to make life easier and more affordable for families with young children, and they see the government as a key part of the solution. We hope these findings spark conversations that move beyond politics and toward solutions that put Montana’s children and families first.

See the highlights here! 

Want to see the full questionnaire? Reach out to our Communications Manager, Robyn Windham at robynw@headwatersmt.org.