Raise Montana
OUR MISSION & VALUES
We support member organizations, advance the early childhood profession, and improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of child care.
Leadership
To us, leadership means amplifying voices that are not always heard. It means acknowledging and working to dismantle power dynamics. It means bringing people together. It means being vulnerable and transparent as we work with others and support our communities. It means follow through. It means grit. Raise Montana is committed to demonstrating leadership that encompasses efficiency and stability.
Innovation
To us, innovation requires listening to and valuing the lived experiences of those we serve. It means being willing to make mistakes and fail. It means not only being responsive to, but celebrating feedback. Innovation requires vulnerability as well as maintaining groundedness. Raise Montana is committed to demonstrating innovation through continuing our own learning, resourcefulness and adaptability.
Inclusive Collaboration
To us, inclusive collaboration means practicing meaningful engagement with everyone we serve and with partners. It means we listen to learn. It means creating spaces for ideas to be shared. It means recognizing that not all perspectives have been historically or are currently recognized and working to actively dismantle those barriers and systems. Raise Montana is committed to demonstrating inclusive collaboration.
Authenticity
To us, authenticity means being transparent in our actions and decisions. It means acting according to our values and our mission. It means providing clear expectations and information. It means being honest about our capacity and our outcomes. Raise Montana is committed to demonstrating authenticity with as much transparency as is feasible.
WHAT WE DO & WHO WE SERVE
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We advocate for the early childhood system and the families and children they serve.
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We initiate projects to support the early childhood professionals including the MT Trauma-Informed Early Childhood Advisory Coalition.
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We educate policy makers, businesses, and the public on early childhood issues.
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Grey Bertsche
Executive Director
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Grey joined Raise Montana in 2020 as the Shared Services Coordinator.
Grey earned their undergraduate degrees in English and Social Work and their graduate degree in Social Work in their hometown of Missoula.
Grey is dedicated to creating sustainable systems to better support child care providers and the families they serve.
Grey is a nerd at heart and loves reading, doing puzzles and spending time cozy at home with their wife and doggo, Keena.