Our 2023 PLTI Cohort begins on Saturday, March 11, and then meets on Wednesdays from 5:30-9:00 PM starting Wednesday, March 15 thru June 28 (except for March 22.)
The Missoula County Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) is a free, anti-racist,15-week training 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, or who want to take their leadership to the next level. 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's Zero to Five initiative. The first session of Missoula PLTI began in October 2021, and our second cohort begins in March 2023.
What You’ll Learn
Weekly sessions focus on understanding our diverse personal experiences and how to communicate across differences, knowledge about the change process, skill building for developing leaders, and tools of civic engagement.
PLTI offers the chance to meet with local and state-level policymakers, elected officials, media professionals, and experienced community leaders.
Participants will graduate with the knowledge, practical tools, and professional and leadership skills they need to become community leaders and change makers.
Each participant will also start a community impact project meant to create some impact in an area of interest or concern for you and your family! Your project might address policies at school, seek to improve resources for students struggling with mental health, shine a light on gaps in the childcare system, or improve safety in your neighborhood. Our PLTI Site Coordinator will work one-to-one with each participant to help you identify a project, make a plan, and get connected to the people who can help you meet your goals.
In addition to 15 weeks of high-quality education, participants receive:
Child care! Free, on-site childcare for school-aged youth in partnership with Missoula Parks & Rec and/or $45+ childcare stipends during weekly Wednesday sessions for toddlers and infants.
Food! Free on-site meals for participants and their families. Each weekly session begins with family dinner from 5:30-6:00 PM, followed by class and youth programming.
Transportation assistance if needed.
2023 Program Dates
PLTI 2023 opens with an all-day retreat on Saturday, March 11, 2023, to build relationships and develop goals amongst the cohort.
The 15-week training series takes place Wednesday evenings from 5:30-9 PM at Missoula Public Library, March 15 thru June 28. (We will be skipping Wednesday, March 22.)
All participants must attend the March 11 retreat. While we hope you can make all of the weekly Wednesday sessions, each participant can miss 3!
Impact
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. Graduates of Missoula’s first PLTI cohort in 2022 have pursued community projects, from creating a clearinghouse listing summer camp opportunities to establishing peer-to-peer mentoring for parents of teens with mental health challenges.
Application Process
Interested parents and caregivers should complete the quick and easy online application here by Friday, March 3. Once you've applied, the PLTI Site Coordinator will reach out to you to schedule a 30-minute meet-and-greet to share more about the program, answer questions, and get to know you a bit!
What Alumni Say About PLTI
“What I have learned through PLTI is that every parent has the power to make positive change happen, no matter how big or small.”
“PLTI means empowerment, knowledge, confidence and translating passion into action. PLTI makes you rise above yourself to understand issues around us and work toward solutions.”
“It’s not about left or right... It’s about making the community better for our kids.”
2023 Missoula County PLTI Team
Rajiem Seabrook, Facilitator
Joby McCarthy, Facilitator
Rachel Huff-Doria, Facilitator
Destini Vale, Facilitator
Sam Duncan, Site Coordinator
Our Civic Design Team members
Jennifer Banna, Montana Family to Family Health Information Center
