FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 23 2025
Contact: Jon Ebelt, Communications Director, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov
DPHHS Launches $6.5 Million Grant Program to Expand Community-Based Forensic Stabilization Services
Funding will help support counties and municipalities as they develop, enhance, and expand forensic stabilization services in local detention centers
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton today announced the agency is now accepting proposals online for a $6.5 million one-time grant program aimed at building sustainable capacity for community-based forensic stabilization services throughout Montana’s local detention centers.
“Improving access to forensic fitness evaluations and diversifying jail-based services to complement Montana State Hospital’s Forensic Mental Health Facility have been shared goals of the Legislature and Governor Gianforte’s administration,” Dir. Brereton said. “DPHHS encourages counties and municipalities to submit innovative proposals as quickly as possible so we can ensure that eligible individuals involved in the legal system have access to forensic stabilization services while remaining in their communities.”
The online portal to submit funding proposals went live on April 23, 2025, and will continue through May 23, 2025. All proposals must be submitted via Submittable.
The one-time-only, 24-month pilot grants are funded through the Community-Based Court-Ordered Evaluations and Stabilization Near-Term Initiative (NTI) approved by Gov. Gianforte and recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission. Community-based court-ordered evaluations currently funded through the first phase of the NTI will continue to be funded.
Counties, municipalities, and multi-county entities that meet certain criteria are eligible to apply. Potential allowable uses of the grants include contracted forensic mental health services to support stabilization, medication management and costs, training and professional development, technology, transportation, administrative services, and hiring and staffing of forensic stabilization services employees.
For more information, visit futuregenerations.mt.gov .