Support for Providers and Agencies serving Families
Support for Providers
Access Line: The MAPP-Net Access Line connects rural Primary Care Providers with a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for consultation from Monday – Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Please call at
MAPP-Net : The Montana Access to Pediatric Psychiatry Network (MAPP-Net) grant strives to support primary care providers in serving children and youth in their communities with mental healthcare needs through education and consultation. Two activities that help us meet this goal: Project ECHO and the toll-free Access Line (mentioned above). The MAPP-Net website is full of resources for primary care providers including archives of previous project ECHO clinics.
AMCHP: AMCHP is committed to working alongside you and those in the maternal and child health space to grow during COVID-19 buy offering resources and guidance as well as self-care suggestions for caregivers and families who may feel isolated due to social distancing requirements.
$4000 for Inclusive Projects : This is a grant available through the Community Investment Fund. Applications are due August 1st. For more information, please email Kim Brown at brown@ruralinstitute.umt.edu.
Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health: This foundation has created a page dedicated to COVID 19 that contains information for families, caregivers, state agencies, and advocates for children with special healthcare needs. Resources are updated regularly. For more information, visit the LPFCH website.
Support for Children and Youth
CSHS Financial Assistance: Children’s Special Health Services has funds to help families with out of pocket expenses. If families qualify, we can pay up to $2,000 annually for expenses related to a child’s health condition. For more information, visit the financial assistance page , email us at cshs.mt.gov or call
The Bright App: The Bright App can help families find a mental health providers. You can search by specialty, location, gender, and accepted insurance.
Comprehensive COVID 19 Resource List: This is a comprehensive resource list that was built by the team at Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research at UMass Medical School. This list was created to support youth, young adults, families, colleges, educators, employers and their supporters.
Always Dancing Project: These Zoom classes are free to children with disabilities, and a fun way to exercise and dance during this pandemic. The classes are taught by high school students who have a passion for dance and a love of teaching children with disabilities. Classes will be held through November 21st and resume in January 2021. For more information on these fun and free classes, please visit Always Dancing Project .
Support for Families and Caregivers
Parent Partners: Parent Partners are parents of children with special healthcare needs who have lived experience and professional training to support other caregivers on their journey. Families can connect with parent partners virtually if they need resources or emotional support during this time. If you would like to talk to a Parent Partner please send an email to: Connect@montanaparentpartners.org
Circle of Parents: Circle of Parents is a caregiver led support group that provides a friendly, supportive environment to parents and caregivers. During Shelter in Place they will be offering virtual meetings. For more information, visit the Circle of Parents website, email at hstenson@butte4-cs.orgor call
Hands & Voices: Hands & Voices is a non-profit, parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. For more information, visit the Hands & Voices Website, email mthandsandvoices@gmail.com, or call at
Montana Family to Family Center : The Montana Family to Family Health Information Center (MT F2F) is led by experienced Montana families. Family members and caregivers can call the F2F team to get help finding resources, locating providers, or forging a supportive connection with a family who has faced a similar situation. For more information, visit the F2F Facebook page, email montanaf2f@umontana.eduor call at
The MT F2F received the 2020 Cares Act Telehealth Award and has been granted the opportunity to allow families to borrow laptops, tablets, headsets with microphones and hot spots (for homes with spotty internet access). Families will be able to borrow these devices so they can better participate in therapies and medical appointments remotely. In exchange for borrowing these items, we ask families caring for someone with a disability to participate in a brief survey. There are seven questions, and no identifying information is required apart from state and zip code. The questions all pertain to issues families may encounter in accessing telehealth (I.E. don’t have a device, don’t have internet, don’t understand how to use a device or ask for a telehealth appointment). It only takes 3-4 minutes to take the survey. Contact the Montana Family to Family Center to get the survey. To borrow equipment, please visit the University of Montana MonTECH website for more information.
MonTECH : is Montana's free assistive technology (AT) and adaptive equipment loan program. The program houses equipment Montana families can borrow and provides free training on that equipment (in person or online). For more information, visit the MonTECH website, or Facebook page, email at montech@mso.umt.edu or call
The Bright App: The Bright App can help families find mental health providers for you or your child. You can search by specialty, location, gender, and accepted insurance.
YBGRConnect: Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch has created a simple and easy way to assist families in finding the right services needed, provide crisis management and family support, and provide fast assess to mental health professionals. Simply call
Financial Resilience Center: National Disability Institute (NDI) is offering resources to help those with disabilities and chronic health conditions navigate financially during COVID-19. These resources including free financial wellness training, and free professional financial counseling.
AUCD Webinars : The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) has created a 4-part webinar series that reviews disability inclusion as it relates to the COVID-19 outbreak with a variety of tips and information for families.
Telework Assistance Grants Available for Montanans with Disabilities: DPHHS has Telework Assistance Grants of up to $1,000 per individual now available through Disability Employment and Transitions (DET) Division. This funding will go towards purchasing assistive technology equipment to assist Montanans with disabilities in maintaining telework opportunities. If you or someone you know is interested in this opportunity please call
No Kid Hungry Summer Meal Text Line: Montana Families can find free summer meals via text message. This service is free, and open to anyone. A parent, grandparent or caregiver can simply text the word “FOOD” to 877-877 and the system prompts them to provide their address or zip code, which is used to provide the location and service times of up to three nearby summer meals sites.
Comprehensive COVID 19 Resource List: This is a comprehensive resource list that was built by the team at Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research at UMass Medical School. This list was created to support youth, young adults, families, colleges, educators, employers and their supporters.
Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health: This foundation has created a page dedicated to COVID 19 that contains information for families, caregivers, state agencies, and advocates for children with special healthcare needs. Resources are updated regularly.
Child Mind Institute: The Child Mind Institute offers telehealth evaluations and treatment for ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders and learning disorders. They also offer coping advice and tools for parents and children during this time.
Zero to Five: Zero to 5 offers a list of Montana and community specific comprehensive resources to support children, families, and providers during this time. These resources include free internet/phone provider resources for Montana families, and support during school closures such as free lunches, or remote activities. For more information visit the Zero to Five website or call
Child Care Connections: This page has a variety of great resources for families, children, and childcare providers to stay safe, healthy, financially sound during COVID-19. There are also several activities and books for children to stay busy and educate during this time.
