2024 Missoula County PLTI Application
**Our formal application deadline for 2024 has passed, although we have 2 remaining spots in class. If you are interested, please feel free to apply before January 5th and we'll reach out to you! If you are interested in applying in the future, please add your name to our email list here.**

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The Missoula County Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) is a free, anti-racist, 10-week training program in civics, democracy, and leadership designed for parents and caregivers who want to make a difference in their communities – but might not yet have the knowledge and practical skills to know how or where to begin. PLTI is open to Missoula County parents, grandparents, foster parents, and other adults who wish to improve the lives of children and families in their community.

PLTI is a national program with 30 years of experience across the country and a local program of United Way of Missoula County's Zero to Five initiative. This national curriculum is based on the premise that caregivers and youth are the best advocates for children and families in our communities – and that increasing access to civic skills will lead us all toward a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable democracy. 

Our next session begins in January 2024 and we are seeking 25 participants who see issues in their community and want to gain the knowledge and skills needed to create change! The Missoula County PLTI class of 2024 will be our 3rd cohort.

The PLTI curriculum includes:
  • A full-day retreat, to build relationships and develop goals amongst the cohort. - This takes place Saturday, January 13th from 9:00am-4:00pm at the Missoula Public Library.
  • Regular classes: This year, we’ll work through the PLTI curriculum during 10 six-hour classroom sessions taking place roughly every other Saturday morning, 9am-3pm, from January thru late May. Weeks 1-5 focus on equity, self-perception, and leadership. Weeks 6-10 are a study of government, policy, and media.
  • Each participant develops a community impact project that seeks to solve a problem affecting Missoula children and families. Projects are completed with support from the Missoula County PLTI Coordinator and community mentors.

In addition to high-quality education, participants receive:

  • Child care! Free, on-site childcare for school-aged youth in partnership with Missoula Parks & Rec and/or childcare stipends during weekly sessions for toddlers, infants, or kids for whom on-site child care isn't the right fit.
  • Food! Free on-site meals for participants and their families.
  • Transportation assistance if needed.

Impact of PLTI:
  • Graduates of Missoula’s PLTI program have pursued community projects including creating a clearinghouse listing summer camp opportunities, establishing peer-to-peer mentoring for parents of teens with mental health challenges, developing an education and training program for and by refugees, and facilitating cooking classes for elementary-aged youth through local schools.
  • Nationally, PLTI’s thousands of graduates have gone on to write letters to the editor, testify before local and state governments, start nonprofit organizations, and even run for office.
  • Each class of leaders joins the PLTI Alumni Group to continue their civic projects and to mentor the next class, creating an enhanced effect of community caring and developing a coalition of parent leaders.

We're so glad you're interested! Please take several minutes to thoughtfully complete the following application by December 15th, 2023. This will be the final application deadline for this cohort. (If you can't join us this year but hope to in the future, sign up here to be notified when applications open for our next cohort!)

Once we receive your application, our PLTI Site Coordinator will reach out to find a good time for a 30-minute meet and greet with you during which they can tell you more about PLTI and answer any questions you might have! 

Have questions before you apply? Feel free to reach out to our Site Coordinator, Sam Duncan (they/them/theirs), at missoulaPLTI@missoulaunitedway.org or 406-219-8040.

Thank you again for your interest in developing your skills as a leader!

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Email *
What is your name? *
What are your preferred pronouns? *
For example, she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, he/him/his. 
What is your age? *
What is your mailing address? *
What is your phone number? *
Are you a... *
Required
How many children are in your care / in your household? *
What are their ages? *
Required
What issues concern you for your children or the children you care for/about? *
If you could make any change in your community to improve the lives of children in your community, what would it be? *
What kind of childcare support would you need?

PLTI is built around and for families, so we do our best to offer quality childcare to all participants.

This year, we will have 2 basic childcare options available to participants:

(1) Off-site stipend: We have 10 stipends available for $45+/week, usable to secure at-home care for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged youth (roughly 4 and under) during biweekly classes.

(2) On-site: We are also offering free childcare for school-aged kids (roughly 5+) at the Library during biweekly classes. Kids will have a breakfast snack with the PLTI group, then go hang with childcare staff for the day!

Please let us know if you would be utilizing childcare, which option(s) would best suit your needs, and what concerns or needs you anticipate going forward! We know that no childcare is one-size-fits-all and we're happy to work with each participant on a case-by-case basis. 

What kind of childcare support, if any, would you need in order to be able to participate in PLTI?
 *
Required
Would you need transportation assistance?
We want the Parent Leadership Training Institute to be as easy to access as possible. Would any of these kinds of transportation support be helpful/necessary for you? *
Required
Could you attend retreat on Saturday, January 13th from 9:00am-4:30pm? *
PLTI begins with a full-day retreat to build relationships and develop goals amongst the cohort.This year, our retreat takes place Saturday, January 13th from 9:00am-4:30pm at the Missoula Public Library. Meals are provided. Attendance at retreat is a requirement for participating in PLTI.
Could you attend at least 8 of the 10 classroom sessions to be held every other Saturday from ~9am-3pm, January-June? *
This year, we’ll work through the PLTI curriculum during 10 six-hour classroom sessions taking place *roughly* every other Saturday morning from January thru early June. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all classes, but are allowed to miss up to 2.

Class dates are: Jan 20th, Feb 3rd, Feb 10th, Feb 24th, March 9th... [three weeks off for spring break]... March 30th, April 6th, April 20th, May 4th, and May 18th.
Demographic Information
The Parent Leadership Training Institute seeks to include participants from a diverse array of backgrounds and identities to work together to make positive changes for their families and their communities.

Our goal is that our 2024 cohort reflects the diversity of our community and the diversity of the challenges faced by caregivers, children, and families in Missoula County.
What is your race or ethnicity? You may select more than one option. *
Required
Please share whatever groups you or your kids identify with.

We encourage you to include as much information as you would like to help us ensure that this class will reflect the diverse needs of Missoula County parents, caregivers, children, and families.

For example, race/ethnicity, religion, special needs, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, educational background, immigration, single parent, teen parent, grandparent, etc.
 *
How did you hear about Missoula County PLTI?
Thank You! We will contact you to schedule a 30-minute meet and greet to talk about the program and answer any questions you might have.
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