HELENA, MT - Governor Greg Gianforte today announced an investment of 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. 

As recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission, the investment represents the latest allocation of $300 million in funding secured by the governor last year to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health (BH) and developmental disabilities (DD) services systems.

“All of Montana’s Tribal communities work tirelessly to address the behavioral health needs for the people they serve,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This funding will enable us to come alongside their efforts to increase access to care and address existing gaps. I appreciate the Commission and our Tribal partners for working together to bring this recommendation forward.”

The BHSFG Commission, DPHHS, the Office of American Indian Health, and representatives from all Montana Tribes and UIHOs met in March to discuss current BH and DD challenges facing Tribal nations and identify possible solutions.

“Tribal leaders know best how to tackle the longstanding, systemic behavioral health challenges faced by individuals living on each reservation and those served by UIHOs,” DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said. “I appreciate the heartfelt testimony our Tribal colleagues presented to the Commission about current obstacles they are facing, and I applaud them for their commitment to this important work.”

Like many rural Montana communities, Tribal communities across the state face heightened transportation barriers to accessing BH and DD care.

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.

To be considered for the grants, each Tribe and UIHO will be tasked with submitting individual proposals to DPHHS with a detailed plan of how the BHSFG funding will be used to address their unique needs.

Last year, Governor Gianforte made a generational investment to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems by signing House Bill 872 into law. A central component of the governor’s Budget for Montana Families, the $300 million investment will expand intensive and community-based behavioral health care and developmental disabilities services across Montana.

More information on the Commission and its work may be found here.