Administrator's Corner

A Promising Start to 2025

Strengthening Long-Term Care and Community Support in Montana

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, the SLTC Division is filled with optimism and a renewed commitment to serving Montana’s older adults and individuals with disabilities. The new year brings fresh opportunities to enhance care, strengthen partnerships, and improve the lives of those we serve. Here’s a glimpse of what we’re focusing on.

Shaping the Future of Long-Term Care

We’re excited to kick off the year with Long-Term Care Strategic Plan Summits facilitated by Mountain Pacific. To address the growing need for long-term care services in Montana, the two-year Long-Term Service and Supports Strategic Planning initiative aims to gather critical input from providers and partners across the state. The upcoming summits build on the momentum of the long-term care strategic plan roundtables held last fall. These summits in Kalispell, Helena, Great Falls, and Billings will offer a platform for collaboration and input on the future of long-term care. Your voice matters! By working together, we can ensure our strategic plan aligns with the needs and aspirations of our communities.

Olmstead Plan Update

SLTC has contracted with the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities (RIIC) at the University of Montana to facilitate the development of Montana’s Olmstead Plan. An Olmstead Plan is a state’s roadmap for providing services and support to individuals with disabilities in community settings rather than institutions, promoting integration and maximizing independence.

Over the past six months, the RIIC has conducted 23 focus groups across the state, gathering invaluable input from people with disabilities, family members, caregivers, and advocacy organizations. These diverse perspectives, combined with state-provided data, are shaping the plan’s development and ensuring it reflects the needs and priorities of Montanans with disabilities.

Currently, the RIIC is conducting in-depth interviews with individuals transitioning to independent living to better understand the supports and barriers they experience. A stakeholder workshop is also planned for this spring to identify concrete strategies and objectives for the plan.

New Year, Renewed Support for Montana’s Caregivers

As we embrace the new year, SLTC remains dedicated to supporting Montana’s hardworking caregivers. Over the past few years, our Lifespan Respite grant has provided much-needed relief through respite vouchers, innovative retreats, and a unique food box program.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand our caregiver support initiatives in 2025. This includes implementing TCARE, an evidence-based program that provides personalized care plans to address caregiver burnout, and piloting Gogo Grandparents, a transportation and delivery service that helps older adults maintain their independence. These programs, combined with our ongoing efforts, will better ensure caregivers across Montana have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

Strengthening Provider Partnerships

We recognize the invaluable role our providers play in delivering high-quality care. In 2025, we’re prioritizing provider engagement through ongoing communication, training opportunities, and collaborative initiatives. We’re committed to fostering strong partnerships and ensuring providers have the resources and support they need to succeed.

The 2025 Legislative Session

The legislative session is a critical opportunity to advocate for policies that support elder adults, individuals with disabilities, and the long-term care system in Montana. We’re actively engaging with lawmakers to promote legislation that strengthens services, improves quality of care, and enhances the lives of those we serve.

We’re excited about the year ahead and the opportunities it holds. By working together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of Montanans who rely on long-term care services. We wish you a happy, healthy, and successful 2025!