Big Sky Times

Governor Greg Gianforte has announced a $2.5 million investment to aid rural counties and tribal communities in Montana in addressing behavioral health needs. This funding is part of the $300 million secured by the governor last year to reform Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems, as recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission.

“Each Montana community faces different challenges and it’s critical we help address their specific needs to tackle the behavioral health crisis together,” said Gov. Gianforte. “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.”

The initiative will offer one-time, two-year grants of up to $250,000 each to 10 tribal communities and rural counties across Montana. These grants will support two tracks: System-Level Innovation or Local-based Community Health Workers.

The System-Level Innovation track focuses on enhancing collaboration at the local level to improve existing programs with assistance from the Montana Public Health Institute. The Local-based Community Health Workers track aims to integrate county-based community health workers into existing behavioral health infrastructure, offering training, clinical supervision, and access to a telehealth network of licensed professionals.

“This investment supports local innovation and community coordination while simultaneously maximizing the effectiveness of the behavioral health resources that currently exist within Montana’s rural and tribal communities,” stated Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton.

Residents in rural counties and tribal communities often face significant travel distances to access care, hindering timely support for their behavioral health needs. The new funding aims to alleviate this issue by bolstering local resources.

Applications for funding will be available later this fall on the DPHHS website.

On May 22, 2023, Gov. Gianforte signed House Bill 872 into law, marking a significant investment aimed at reforming Montana's BH and DD services systems as part of his Budget for Montana Families initiative. This $300 million investment seeks to expand intensive and community-based services across the state.

More information about the Commission's work can be found on the Approved Initiatives page.