COVID-19 News

Support for COVID-19 Screening Testing in Schools

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is launching an expanded COVID-19 screening testing program to support public and private K-12 schools in protecting students and staff from the spread of COVID-19. The program will launch in fall 2021 and schools can register to participate beginning in August. Supported by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the program will provide participating schools access to COVID-19 rapid tests and other testing options. Please review the following fact sheets about various funding opportunities available through this program.

• ELC Reopening Schools Award: Support for COVID-19 Screening Testing
• COVID-19 Public Health Workforce Supplemental Funding

Returning to School Guidance

• DPHHS Official Statement: HEPA Air Purifiers and Air Filtration Montana Schools
• CDC: Considerations for K-12 Schools- Readiness and Planning Tool
• Montana Office of Public Instruction: Reopening Montana Schools Guidelines

Guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of COVID-19 and is updated as needed and as additional information becomes available. The DPHHS Communicable Disease and Epidemiology Section provides more information on disease monitoring and prevention in Montana. Please visit the DPHHS Coronavirus website for more information. 

DPHHS School Administrative Rules

The revised rules were filed with the Montana Secretary of State on January 7, 2020 and were posted in the Montana Administrative Register on January 17, 2020 . 
To learn more, please visit this page dedicated to the rule changes.