Big Sky Times

Governor Greg Gianforte today announced an investment of $700,000 to expand peer support services for Montana families and caregivers. As recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission, the investment represents the next allocation of $300 million in funding that the governor devoted last year to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems.

“Parents and caregivers raising children with behavioral health challenges often neglect their own mental and physical health,” Gov. Gianforte said. “To address this important need, our latest investment will improve Montana families’ access to services and ensure caregivers are getting the support they need. I’m grateful to the Behavioral Health Commission for this recommendation and look forward to seeing it implemented.”

Family peer support services are provided by those who have lived experience raising a child with behavioral health challenges or special healthcare needs and are equipped to provide emotional support and resources to another family who is raising a child with similar needs. These individuals provide active listening, emotional support, help with navigating the healthcare system, and connecting families and caregivers with more resources.

The initiative will fund five one-time grants that will be awarded to organizations with experience delivering these services, specifically those with experience supporting youth with serious emotional disturbance. The funding will be disbursed to grant awardees over a two-year period.

“A number of Montanans caring for children with behavioral health challenges spoke about their experiences during the BHSFG Commission meetings held throughout the state over the past eight months,” Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton said. “These individuals devote a massive amount of time and energy to the children they care for – often to the detriment of their own well-being. Family peer support services are an important tool in the toolbox to ensure that these caretakers remain mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy.”

A recent study conducted by Montana’s Peer Network showed that 94 percent of Montanans who received family peer support services reported an improved quality of life, and 87 percent reported an increase in the quality of care provided to a child.

Established through House Bill 872, the BHSFG Commission is tasked with providing recommendations for allocating the governor’s historic $300 million investment to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities service systems.

The commission is tasked with developing recommendations to stabilize behavioral health and developmental disabilities service providers, increase and strengthen the behavioral health and developmental disabilities workforce to provide critical care to those in need, increase availability of integrated physical and behavioral healthcare, and support the establishment of behavioral health settings and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

More information about the commission and its work may be found on the Future Generations Page. Grant applications for family peer supporters will be available on the BHSFG website in mid-July.