The Montana Healthcare Foundation (MTHF) launched the School-Based Health Initiative in 2020 to improve access to care for students and help them remain engaged in their education. The initiative supports partnerships between schools and healthcare providers, creating school-based health services in areas with significant need.
By 2025, under senior program officer Kelsey Gummer, the initiative had aided the startup or expansion of 82 school-based health sites operated by rural health centers, tribal clinics, urban Indian organizations, federally qualified health centers, and other clinics. These sites now serve 132 of Montana’s highest-need schools.
Last year, MTHF commissioned a statewide survey on school-based health in Montana. Conducted by the national School-Based Health Alliance, the survey examined best practices for operating these services and provided recommendations for sustainability and growth. According to the findings:
– Over 47,000 visits to school-based health care sites occur annually, serving nearly 12,000 patients.
– 83% of these sites also provide services to groups beyond students, including staff and community members.
– 59% of sites are financially sustainable.
School administrators reported that having healthcare available at schools has contributed to better attendance and engagement among students. “This finding validates the impact of our programming and the school-based health model,” said MTHF representatives.
Based on national best practices and survey results, the School-Based Health Alliance offered six recommendations for strengthening Montana’s school-based healthcare:
“Support training and technical assistance for school-based health care excellence and sustainability.
Explore the impact and sustainability of existing sites at the state and site levels.
Identify expansion opportunities for new school-based health care sites or expanded services based on need, partnership readiness, and potential impact.
Convene key players and leverage community resources at the state and local levels.
Provide education on policies that support expanded access to and sustainability of school-based health care and community schools.
Invest in school-based health care sites through dedicated funding, the creation of a state office to provide oversight, and the identification of a dedicated training and technical assistance provider.”
Demand for these services is increasing rapidly. The association of school administrators in Montana is working with MTHF to promote wider implementation.
Montana’s new Rural Health Transformation Program will also support new or expanding rural school-based healthcare sites. Through its initiative, MTHF continues funding efforts such as training sessions, technical support, convening leaders in this field, and collaborating with entities like the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
MTHF funds its initiatives through a charitable endowment from trust investments according to its official website. The foundation works across both urban and rural communities throughout Montana, promoting health equity for at-risk populations and supporting community organizations—including tribal partners—and healthcare providers to advance outcomes. Its approach includes grant funding, policy analysis and technical assistance for public health initiatives. MTHF aims to enhance statewide health by offering strategic investments that address community challenges and build collaborations with local partners.
