The state of Montana is increasing its support for community-based residential providers offering behavioral health care and developmental disability services, with $15.8 million in one-time grants, as announced by the Governor’s Office on Monday.
The grants were recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission, part of a $300 million fund dedicated to improving behavioral health and developmental disabilities services in Montana.
“Timely access to more residential services at the local level is critical and plays a major role in preventing the need for more intensive services down the road,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I thank the commission for advancing another recommendation that will help to transform the delivery of behavioral health care in Montana.”
Charlie Brereton, Director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), stated that the grants aim to stabilize or expand residential services across Montana, building sustainable capacity to ensure more Montanans receive care in clinically appropriate settings closer to home.
“This funding represents yet another key milestone to ensuring providers at the local level have the resources they need to serve Montanans appropriately,” Dir. Brereton said. “We know the current lack of residential services capacity in our state leads to inefficient treatment, challenges for patients discharging from inpatient settings, and missed opportunities to keep Montanans closer to home. We are eager to help solve this longstanding issue and will continue to advance projects like these with the needs of future generations in mind.”
Grant funds may be used for purchasing or constructing new facilities, upgrading and maintaining existing facilities, and hiring and training staff to increase bed capacity. Brereton emphasized that residential treatment settings are a crucial part of the continuum of care for behavioral health and developmental disabilities, helping to prevent more intensive service needs and providing a step-down care option for individuals leaving inpatient settings.
In the coming weeks, DPHHS will finalize contracts with eligible providers who applied for and received an award. The department will publicly announce the award recipients once all contracts are effectuated.
