Falls Prevention Leader Training

The Montana Falls Prevention Program supports three evidence-based falls prevention programs. These programs are: 

To be able to reach all the communities in Montana, the Montana Arthritis Program works with local organizations to train leaders to facilitate falls prevention classes.  

Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) is a 12-week (or ongoing), evidence-based fitness program for older adults, 65+, to improve their balance, strength, and flexibility.

SAIL Leader Training Table

SAIL Leader Qualification

  • Proof of a current CPR and First Aid Certificate: 
    • Must submit CPR Certificate before the leader training. 
  • Background in fitness or exercise science is preferred but not required. 
  • Comfortable speaking in front of a group. 
  • Enjoy working with older adults. 

SAIL Class Format 

  • SAIL can be offered for 12-weeks or ongoing.
  • Exercises can be done sitting or standing. 
  • Meets 2 or 3 times per week for 1-hour. 
  • 1 or 2 trained leaders conduct the SAIL class. 
  • Classes can be offered in-person or virtually. 
  • Participants complete a fitness check at their first class and at 12 weeks to monitor their improvement. 
  • Exercises are specifically designed to help maintain and improve balance in older adults.

Upcoming SAIL Leader Training 

Click to learn more about the SAIL program and SAIL program fact sheet.

In-person trainings

April 7-8, 2026, Sidney, MT 

  • Two, half-day in-person training 
  • Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm 
  • Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 8:30am to 12:30pm 

SAIL Leader Training - Sidney, MT

Leader Training 

  • No cost for the training. 
  • One night stay covered for Tuesday, April 7, 2026. 

  

In exchange for the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services covering the cost of the training, trained leader will collect and report class and participant data. 

New Sites 

All new sites will receive a start-up kit, which includes: 

  • Ankle weights (8 pairs) 
  • Participant booklets 
  • Fitness check equipment 
  • SAIL marketing materials 

 

 

Register for SAIL Training in Sidney 

May 6-7, 2026, Helena, MT 

  • Two, half-day in-person training 
  • Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm 
  • Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 8:30am to 12:30pm 

SAIL Leader Training - Helena

Leader Training 

  • No cost for the training. 
  • One night stay covered for Wednesday, May 6, 2026. 

  

In exchange for the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services covering the cost of the training, trained leader will collect and report class and participant data. 

New Sites 

All new sites will receive a start-up kit, which includes: 

  • Ankle weights (8 pairs) 
  • Participant booklets 
  • Fitness check equipment 
  • SAIL marketing materials 

 

 

Register for SAIL Training in Sidney 

Registration alone does not guarantee enrollment for the training. Enrollment is dependent on the individual's qualifications and class capacity. 

Contact Erin Bley at Erin.Bley@mt.gov or 406-444-1278 for any questions about the SAIL Leader Training.

Stepping On is a 7-week, educational evidence-based falls prevention workshop to help empower older adults to prevent falls. 

The Stepping On program is for older adults, aged 60+, who have fallen or have a fear of falling and live independently (who do not reside in an assisted living facility) to learn about falls risk and how to avoid falls in the home and their community.

Stepping On Facilitator Training Table

Stepping On Facilitator Qualification

  • Attend the 2.5 day Stepping On leader training. 
  • Preferred, but not required: 
    • Current or retired health care professional, social worker, health educator, fitness expert, or aging network professional. 
  • Comfortable speaking in front of a group. 
  • Enjoy working with older adults. 

Stepping On Format

  • The Stepping On workshops are 2-hours, once a week, for 7-weeks, plus a 3-month booster session. 
  • Small groups of 10-14 participants. 
  • Workshops are offered in-person.  
  • Guest experts attend workshops to provide insight on falls prevention. 
  • Each workshop must be co-led by two trained Stepping On facilitators. 
    • An organization can have two or more trained leaders or partner with an organization that has Stepping On facilitators to host a class in the respective community. 

 

Upcoming Stepping On Facilitator Training

In-person trainings

March 24-26, 2026, Helena, MT 

  • Two- and half-day in-person training 

Stepping On Training - Helena

Leader Training 

  • No cost for the training. 
  • Three-night stay covered 
  • Monday, March 23, 2026 
  • Tuesday, March 24, 2026. 
  • Wednesday, March 25, 2026 

  

In exchange for the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services covering the cost of the training, trained leader will collect and report class and participant data. 

New Sites 

All new sites will receive a start-up kit, which includes: 

  • Ankle weights (8 pairs) 
  • Participant exercise manuals 
  • Weekly participant handouts 
  • Stepping On marketing materials 

 

 

Register for Stepping On Facilitator Training  

Registration alone does not guarantee enrollment for the training. Enrollment is dependent on the individual's qualifications and class capacity.

Contact Melissa Dale at Melissa.Dale@mt.gov or Heather Welch at HWelch@mt.gov for any questions about the Stepping On Facilitator Training. 

Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention is an evidence-based fitness program to help individuals manage arthritis, prevent falls, and maintain overall health.  

Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention is offered either for 8-weeks, two times per week for one-hour or 16-weeks, once a week for one-hour. Uses the gentle Sun-style Tai Chi. The movements are designed to improve range of motion, flexibility, balance, and posture, that is safe, easy to learn, and suitable for every fitness level.

Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention Leader Training Table

Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention Leader Qualifications 

  • Prerequisite:  
    • Must complete the Self-paced Instructor Preparation Package (SIPP)*. 
    • Expected to take 20-40 hours. 
  • Have a background or basic fitness knowledge, is preferred but not required. 
  • Attend the two-day training. 
  • Comfortable speaking in front of a group. 

Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention Format 

  • Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention can be offered:  
    • 8 weeks, twice a week for 1-hour; or 
    • 16 weeks, once a week for 1-hour. 
  • At least 1 trained leader to lead the Tai Chi class. 
  • Group size of 8 - 20 people. 


Upcoming Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention Leader Training

In-person trainings

May 19-20, 2026, Kalispell, MT 

  •  Two-day, in-person leader training 
  • Requirement to complete a pre-training: 
  • Estimated to take 20-40 hours 

Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention - Kalispell

Leader Training 

  • No cost for the training. 
  • Two-night stay covered for Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19, 2026. 

  

In exchange for the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services covering the cost of the training, trained leader will collect and report class and participant data. 

New Sites 

All new leaders will receive:  

  • Access to the self-paced Instructor Preparation Package (SIPP) training.  
  • Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention leader handbooks.  
  • 2-year Tai Chi Board Certification 

 

 

Register for Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention Training in Kalispell  

Registration alone does not guarantee enrollment for the training. Enrollment is dependent on the individual's qualifications and class capacity. 

Contact Erin Bley at Erin.Bley@mt.gov or Melissa Dale at Melissa.Dale@mt.gov for any questions about the Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention Leader Training. 

Locate a Falls Prevention Class

Click on the map to locate a falls prevention class in your community.

Montana Community Programs