Montana Healthcare Foundation

Our Integrated Behavioral Health Initiative grantees have been on the road! In November, the Pediatric IBH Learning Cohort visited the Indian Family Health Clinic in Great Falls, where the group learned about behavioral health integration. Attendees also learned how to conduct a “warm handoff” with the help of role play at Partnership Health Center in Missoula. #IBHInitiative #BehavioralHealth

We are happy to announce the recipients of our 2024 Call for Proposals grants! These projects represent innovative ideas for improving health and well-being in Montana. Emma’s House – Bitterroot Valley Children’s Advocacy Center, Florence Crittenton Home & Services, Helena Indian Alliance, Missoula County Public Schools, Veterans Navigation Network Learn more about each of these projects here: https://lnkd.in/gc-vrAUy

We are proud to share our 2023 Annual Report! This report highlights our work over 2023 and is a testament to our talented staff and the dedicated, tireless work of committed partners across the state. We hope you enjoy learning about our progress to improve health in Montana. Check it out here: https://ow.ly/vwI050U5GnN #AnnualReport #MontanaHealth

Demetrius Fassas is this year's Mignon Waterman Award recipient in recognition of his leadership of the Butte SPIRIT Homes substance use disorder recovery housing and his support for recovery housing services statewide. #RecoveryHousing #PeerSupport "It is a great honor to have this work recognized through the Mignon Waterman Award, and I look forward to continued work with the incredible network of people who are raising the bar for peer-supported recovery across the country." - Demetrius Fassas, Butte SPIRIT Homes Executive Director https://ow.ly/XNJy50TZCyr

Congratulations to Big Sandy Medical Center for joining our Integrated Behavioral Health Initiative! The clinic will hire a therapist and a registered nurse to work alongside the clinic's psychiatric nurse practitioner. Together, they will work as a team with the rest of the clinic's staff to better support patients with mental health concerns. #IntegratedHealth #MentalHealthSupport https://ow.ly/66hF50TXBLC

Our very own Kelsey Gummer was awarded the 2024 School-Based Health Alliance Champion Award! This award recognizes an individual who develops and leads impactful partnerships in the school-based health field, demonstrates innovative strategies, and is dedicated to bringing comprehensive, quality health care services to schools. Congratulations, Kelsey!

More than 220 people from across the state attended our 2024 Symposium: Celebrating Health Care Innovation in Bozeman. In addition to connecting with colleagues, attendees had the opportunity to learn from national clinical health experts, Montana-based program spotlights, and peer-leaning panels. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success!

We recently released our annual report on Montana's Medicaid program and its impact on the state budget, economy, and health. The 2024 Medicaid in Montana report shows consistent improvement in health coverage, access to services, health outcomes, and cost reductions for enrollees. New data also finds that state general fund spending on Medicaid has remained stable since before Montana expanded Medicaid. Special thanks to the #Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, which made the report possible by contributing #Medicaid data, and Manatt Health which produced it. https://lnkd.in/gRbuP3DG

Our very own Tracy Menuez received a Changemaker Award from the MT Department of Commerce and NeighborWorks MT for her contributions to the field of affordable housing in MT. The Changemaker Award recognizes collaborative innovators who address community needs with creativity and humility. https://lnkd.in/gW9QQ_qi Congratulations, Tracy!

Our grantee Carroll College has developed an educational track to train graduate-level social workers in integrated behavioral health settings, directly serving Native American populations. This project is intended to address the shortage of behavioral health providers using integrated care principles and practices and serving Native American individuals, families, and communities. Jaydee Weatherwax, one of the first Native students to earn a master’s in social work from Carroll College, shares her experience here: https://lnkd.in/gWTz7xEq