Governor Greg Gianforte unveiled an investment of up to $2.5 million aimed at assisting rural counties and tribal communities in Montana to develop and implement tailored solutions for their behavioral health needs. This initiative is part of a broader $300 million funding allocation secured by the governor last year to reform and enhance the state’s behavioral health (BH) and developmental disabilities (DD) services.
The funding comes as a recommendation from the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission, emphasizing the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by different communities in tackling the behavioral health crisis.
“This funding will provide tribes and rural counties with the resources they need to design and implement programs that work best for the Montanans they serve,” said Gov. Gianforte, highlighting the need for locally-developed solutions.
Grants of up to $250,000 each will be available over two years to a maximum of 10 tribal communities and rural counties. Applicants can choose between two tracks: System-Level Innovation or Local-based Community Health Workers.
The System-Level Innovation track focuses on enhancing collaboration to improve the effectiveness of existing programs, with support from the Montana Public Health Institute. Meanwhile, the Local-based Community Health Workers track will help integrate county-based community health workers into the behavioral health infrastructure, providing training, clinical supervision, and access to a telehealth network of licensed professionals.
“This investment supports local innovation and community coordination while maximizing the effectiveness of existing behavioral health resources,” said Charlie Brereton, Director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).
Many residents in rural and tribal areas face significant barriers in accessing care, often traveling long distances to receive necessary support. The new funding aims to alleviate these challenges.
Tribes and rural counties will be able to apply for the funding later this fall through the DPHHS website.
This initiative follows the signing of House Bill 872 on May 22, 2023, which represents a generational investment in reforming Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities systems. This comprehensive approach is part of the governor’s broader Budget for Montana Families, aimed at expanding intensive and community-based services across the state.
