Behavioral Health (BH)

• Alternative Settings PowerPoint Presentation for the April 22, 2024 BHSFG Commission meeting
• Alternative Settings Behavioral Health Report

Please click on the date to obtain the Zoom access information/recording

Please click on the date to obtain the Zoom access information/recording

Please click on the date to obtain the Zoom access information/recording

Please click on the date to obtain the Zoom access information/recording

Please click on the date to obtain the Zoom access information/recording

Subscribe to “Email Updates” to follow all Behavioral Health System for Future Generations activities.  Sign up by submitting your email address to “Email Updates” found under “Stay Engaged” in the grey box to the right.

Attend committee and workgroup meetings and provide public input during the scheduled public comment time.  The committee and workgroup meetings will be posted on this website and can also be found under DPHHS News and Events found here: News and Events (mt.gov).  Click on “DPHHS Meetings and Events” to find the dates, times, agendas, and Zoom link.

Provide written comments and ideas by emailing insert the email that is to come later found under “Stay Engaged”

The initial three objectives of the alternative settings steering committee are:

• Identifying promising and best practice approaches for enhancing behavioral health programs and settings.
• Reducing over-dependency on state-run behavioral health settings and designing more suitable treatment settings.
• Incorporating innovative recommendations by representing their respective workgroup and ensuring their perspectives are included in the decision-making process.

Recommendations and input will not only shape the initiative but also help overcome potential legislative hurdles by providing the necessary support to move the initiative forward.

The initial four objectives of the continuum of care subcommittee are:

• Identifying and addressing the continuum of care, including prevention, early intervention, crisis stabilization, residential, recovery services, inpatient and outpatient services, stepdown programs, and post-discharge supports.
• Focusing on enhancing care coordination (including targeted case management) and integration among different care providers, community organizations, and support services.
• Collaborating with local communities, stakeholders, and relevant agencies to identify strategies to ensure consistent access to appropriate levels of care, address regional and cultural disparities, and facilitate smooth transitions between different care settings.
• Creating a person-centered continuum of care that promotes recovery, improves outcomes, and reduces over-dependency on the most restrictive behavioral health settings.

The initial three objectives of the access subcommittee are:

• Examining existing gaps in service delivery, the ability to access the right services at the right time (for example, but not limited to, times when centers are open, transportation challenges, etc.), program eligibility and waitlist, and assessing the availability and adequacy of facilities.
• ­­Recommending strategies to improve access to behavioral health settings.
• Collaborating with local communities, stakeholders, and relevant agencies to develop innovative proposed solutions that ensure equitable and timely access to quality care for individuals requiring behavioral health services.

The initial three objectives of the workforce subcommittee are:

• Identifying shortages in qualified personnel, augmenting training and education programs, sourcing funds to support career development programs, and recommending strategies (such as career ladders, grant opportunities, licensure reciprocity, and scope of practice to the highest level of practice, etc.) to recruit and/or develop, train, and retain a skilled workforce.
• Exploring ways to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, promote professional development opportunities, and address any systemic workforce barriers that impede the effective delivery of behavioral health services.
• Collaborating with local communities, stakeholders, and relevant agencies to develop a sustainable and competent workforce that can meet the diverse needs of individuals in behavioral health settings.

The specific members have not yet been announced. When further information is available it will be posted on this page.