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.  

"I'm doing better at stairs especially going up - not so short of breath.  Balance exercises are helping greatly walking with more confidence. Getting up and out of chair so much easier."
-Lisa, Montana Resident

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.

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

Upcoming SAIL Leader Training 

October 27-28 - Great Falls, MT

The SAIL training is scheduled for two half days:

Tuesday, October 27, from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M.
Wednesday, October 28, from 8:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.

The Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Bureau will cover the cost for the training and one night of lodging on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in Great Falls.

Click the Register for SAIL Leader Training button below to register.

Registration must be completed by Friday, October 9, 2026.

Register for SAIL Leader Training

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

  • Ankle weights 
  • Participant booklets
  • Fitness check equipment
  • SAIL marketing materials

For inquires please contact SAIL Master Trainer, Erin at Erin.Bley@mt.gov.

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

Virtual trainings for Montana leaders are available upon request. Contact SAIL Master Trainer, Erin at Erin.Bley@mt.gov.

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

  • Complete the Basic Training: Essential Elements for Facilitation of Evidence-Based Health Promotion Program before attending the training. 
  • 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

There are currently no upcoming in-person trainings.

 

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. 

 

Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention Leader Training Table 2

Leader Training 

The Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Bureau will cover the cost:
  • Self-paced Instructor Preparation Package (SIPP) training;
  • Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention training;
  • Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention handbooks;
  • 2-year Tai Chi Board Certification; and
  • Two-night lodging (Sunday, November 15, and Monday, November 16, 2026).

Individuals or the individual’s organizations are responsible for covering:
    • Meals
    • Travel to the training.

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. 
  • 1-year Tai Chi Board Certification  
 

Registration

Click the Register for Tai Chi Training button to register.

Registration must be completed by Friday, October 16, 2026.

Register for the Tai Chi Training

Please note: the training is marked "Wait Listed". Please proceed to register, as this training is closed to anyone outside of Montana.

*SIPP Training

Upon registration, the Self-Paced Instructor Preparation Package (SIPP) training information will be emailed to register and start the training.

Leaders must complete the SIPP training and be comfortable with the moves. This takes about 20-40 hours to complete. 

Failure to effectively demonstrate the core moves will result in retaking the training or not passing. 

Contact Jude Spors-Murphy JSporsMurphy@logan.org or Erin Bley at Erin.Bley@mt.govor (406) 444-1278 for any questions about the Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention Training.

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

For more information or for any questions about the Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention Leader Training, ccontact Erin Bley at Erin.Bley@mt.gov or Melissa Dale at Melissa.Dale@mt.gov.

Locate a Falls Prevention Class

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

Montana Community Programs