Approved BHSFG Commission Initiatives
Near-Term Initiatives (NTIs) reflect common sense, actionable ideas to address largely known and worsening gaps in Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities systems. Upon Commission recommendation and approval by the Governor, DPHHS can begin implementing these NTIs now while the Commission continues development of its final report.
Near-Term Initiatives (NTIs) Selection Criteria
- Focus on solving specific, largely unknown and worsening problems in the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities systems.
- Deploy targeted funding to address those problems while identifying a path towards sustainability.
- Be achievable within the current resource constraints of DPHHS.
- Build upon existing DPHHS programs or infrastructure where and when possible.
- Consider a wide range of inputs, including responses to the Commission's RFIs.
Eleven initiatives have been approved by Governor Gianforte to date:
| Date Approved by Commission | 10/13/23 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 12/19/23 |
| Funding Level | $7.5M |
Community-Based Court-Ordered Evaluation and Stabilization Near-Term Initiative Documents
A total of $7.5 million in state funds is now available to incentivize community-based COEs and stabilization and restoration services to address a longstanding backlog in evaluations at the Montana State Hospital Forensic Mental Health Facility (FMHF, also known as Galen). These community-based COEs can occur in jails, the provider’s office, in private hospitals, other community-settings, or via telehealth.
- Recommendation for Grants to Incentivize Community-Based Court Ordered Evaluations (mt.gov)
- Governor Gianforte Invests $17.5 Million To Boost Community-Based Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Care (mt.gov)
- DPHHS Launches $7.5M Program to Address Court-Ordered Forensic Fitness Evaluation Backlog
| Date Approved by Commission | 10/13/23 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 12/19/23 |
| Date Amended Request Approved by Commission | 6/20/24 |
| Date Amended Request Approved by Governor | 6/24/24 |
| Funding Level | $15.8M |
Grants to Increase Residential Bed Capacity Near-Term Initiative Documents
This initiative will provide up to $15.8 million to increase residential bed capacity. Funding will be used to provide one-time grants to congregate community living providers who primarily serve individuals with a serious mental health or developmental disability diagnosis. The goal of the grants is to stabilize or increase residential service provision as needed across the state and build sustainable capacity. Allowable uses of the grant funds include the cost of new facility purchase/build, existing facility upgrades/maintenance, hiring and training staff, and revenue supplementation due to low volume/lack of economies of scale through startup.
Providers with questions are encouraged to contact BHSFG Program Manager Macey Curry at macey.curry@mt.gov or at (406) 444-2727.
- Recommendation for Grants to Increase Residential Bed Capacity (mt.gov)
- Governor Gianforte Invests $17.5 Million To Boost Community-Based Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Care (mt.gov)
- DPHHS Launches Grant Program to Increase Residential Bed Capacity
- Governor Gianforte Invests $15.8 Million to Increase Community-Based Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Care
| Date Approved by Commission | 11/30/23 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 01/22/24 |
| Funding Level | $7.5M |
This initiative will provide one-time grants to existing Mobile Crisis Response and new Crisis Receiving and Stabilization providers. The goal of the funding is to stabilize and sustain Mobile Crisis Response programs and increase Crisis Receiving Stabilization service capacity across Montana.
| Date Approved by Commission | 12/01/23 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 01/22/24 |
| Funding Level | $500k |
This initiative calls on DPHHS to contract with a vendor experienced in curriculum development to develop and host a Crisis Worker Certification Course that will be available for providers delivering crisis services. The certification course will ensure trainees understand specific knowledge areas such as basic suicidology, intervention strategies, and community resources. The selected vendor will collaborate with crisis provider stakeholders and DPHHS throughout the project term.
| Date Approved by Commission | 01/11/24 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 01/30/24 |
| Funding Level | $600k |
DD Workforce Capacity Grant Submissions
The initiative will provide up to $350,000 to pilot a Direct Support Professionals (DSP) credentialing structure to test best practice approaches to stabilizing the DSP workforce by establishing career ladders. Additionally, $200,000 of funding is allocated through this NTI to enhance training opportunities for healthcare professionals to support individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) seeking medical and behavioral healthcare by sponsoring 500 “seats” in the Curriculum in IDD Healthcare eLearn course.
| Date Approved by Commission | 04/23/24 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 06/12/24 |
| Funding Level | $700k |
Family Peer Support Provider Grant Submissions
This initiative will provide up to $700,000 to create a family peer support pilot program. Funding will provide one-time grants to up to five organizations with a proven record of providing family peer support services in Montana. This initiative aims to provide Montana families with needed access to a cost-effective solution to help meet family and caretaker needs.
| Date Approved by Commission | 05/20/24 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 07/17/24 |
| Funding Level | $6.5 million |
Support for Tribes and Urban Indian Health Organizations
This initiative will provide up to $6.5 million in one-time grants to Tribal nations and Urban Indian Health Organizations (UIHOs) to support and improve behavioral health services provided in Native American communities. The funding can be used to improve, repair, or expand existing behavioral health facilities, support mobile crisis response teams, and cover transportation expenses to facilities that serve individuals with behavioral health needs in a culturally relevant manner.
| Date Approved by Commission | 05/20/24 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 07/31/24 |
| Funding Level | $1 million |
Fair Market Rent Reevaluation Study
This initiative will provide up to $1,000,000 to conduct a statewide study to determine the appropriate level of funding needed to help supplement housing costs for low-income Montanans served in the state’s behavioral health system. Through the study, information will be gathered on current rental rates throughout the state to help determine the funding necessary to supplement federal rental assistance.
| Date Approved by Commission | 05/20/24 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 08/16/24 |
| Funding Level | $400,000 |
Access to Naloxone and Fentanyl Testing Strips
This initiative will provide up to $400,000 to provide low cost, life-saving resources across the state to respond to the fentanyl and opioid crisis. The one-time funding will be used to install 24 Wellness Kiosks throughout the state, which will dispense and distribute fentanyl testing strips and naloxone. The kiosks will be strategically placed at community-based programs such as Projects for Assistance in Transition to Homelessness and Drop-in Centers. Both programs are low barrier access points to behavioral health treatment and offer individualized supports.
| Date Approved by Commission | 05/20/24 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 09/19/24 |
| Funding Level | $4 million |
Funding to Launch Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Physician Assistant Programs
This initiative will provide $4 million to support startup costs for any Montana institution of higher education launching Physician Assistant (PA) and Occupational Therapy (OT) doctorate programs. PAs and OTs fill critical roles in Montana’s BH and DD continuum of care. In rural areas with shortages of physicians and other behavioral health professionals, PAs often function in primary care roles and can be the only providers in the community. OTs provide an array of vital services, including prevention and treatment services. According to a 2022 Montana Department of Labor and Industry report, approximately 67 PAs and 33 OTs are needed to meet community demands.
| Date Approved by Commission | 06/28/24 |
| Date Approved by Governor | 09/26/24 |
| Funding Level | $2.5 million |
Funding to Pilot Local Innovations in Behavioral Health through Grants to Counties and Tribes
This initiative will provide $2.5 million to support rural counties and tribal communities as they design and implement targeted, locally developed solutions to behavioral health needs within their communities. The one-time, two-year grants of up to $250,000 each will be awarded to up to 10 tribal communities and rural counties throughout Montana. Through the program, tribes and counties can apply for either the System-Level Innovation or Local-based Community Health Workers track. Tribes and rural counties will be able to apply for funding later this fall on the DPHHS website.