Partnerships and Collaboration are Essential to Crisis Diversion in Montana

Crisis diversion in Montana is strongest when communities work together. Effective response depends on collaboration among behavioral health providers, emergency services, law enforcement, local governments, those with lived experience and community organizations to ensure individuals in crisis are connected to the right care at the right time.

Community involvement helps align services across the behavioral health continuum, identify gaps, and build locally responsive solutions that reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and justice system involvement and ensure our friends and neighbors receive the care they need.

If you are interested in learning more about crisis diversion in Montana, please visit our website: Behavioral Health | MTPHI

If you would like to support or engage in crisis diversion efforts in your community, please contact Amy.Fantozzi@mtphi.org and / or Molly.Wendland@mtphi.org to be connected with your local coalition coordinator and learn how you can get involved.

Montana Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Regional Collaborative Meetings - March 2026

DPHHS and MTPHI are hosting another round of in-person PHEP collaborative discussions this March and we would love to have you attend! These meetings are your opportunity to connect with your peers, network, and work through the PHEP deliverables- MTPHI will facilitate but YOU set the agenda.  The minutes from the September meeting are attached. 

Click here to register for the next round of PHEP regional meetings (you will receive a calendar invite following registration):

• Glendive: Monday, March 9th, 10am-2pm (Yellowstone River Inn)

• Lewistown: Tuesday, March 10th, 10am-2pm (Calvert Hotel)

• Helena: Thursday, March 12th, 10:30am - 2:30pm (Lewis and Clark Library)

• Kalispell: Friday, March 13th, 10am - 2pm (Flathead City-County Health Department)

Questions? Please contact Hillary.Hanson@mtphi.org

Confluence 2026 Conference

Plains to Peaks: Uniting for a Healthier Montana

April 14-16, 2026 | Billings Hotel & Convention Center

This week: Conference registration and the scholarship application OPEN!

Next week: Breakout session and agenda overview available.

Board of Health Track: All Board of Health (BOH) members are warmly invited to attend the BOH track from April 14 through lunch on April 15. The DPHHS Public Health System Improvement Office is offering scholarships for registration and reimbursement for one night of lodging for BOH members. To apply, please contact: KPride@mt.gov

Questions about the 2026 Conference? Contact Info@cphamt.org

Montana Board of Health Member Call

March 9, 2026 | 12 - 1pm | Zoom

Please join Confluence Public Health Alliance (CPHA) on Monday, March 9 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. for Montana’s first quarterly call just for board of health members.

Purpose of the Quarterly BOH Member Calls:

• Provide short, practical and interactive mini trainings based on BOH member needs and feedback.

• Create opportunities for peer connection and statewide knowledge-exchange.

• Highlight emerging issues, resource needs, and trends relevant to local governance and public health authority.

Registration for the March 9 call

The quarterly BOH Member Call is hosted by CPHA with support from DPHH Public Health System Improvement Office.

Questions? Please contact lisa.dworak@cphamt.org or visit the BOH resource page.

Montana Timely Overdose Data Dashboard

The Montana Timely Overdose Data Dashboard (MTODD) is live! The purpose of this dashboard is to provide users with timely data on drug overdoses (data can be viewed at the state and county level, as well as by OENDP region). This dashboard is intended for situational awareness and timely response based on various overdose indicators.

Questions? Please contact Sandra Biller

Tribal Electronic Case Reporting (eCR) and Data Modernization Mentorship Program

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is launching the Tribal Electronic Case Reporting (eCR) and Data Modernization Mentorship Program to connect Federally Recognized Tribes and Tribal Organizations with peer-to-peer mentoring from Tribes and TECs who will provide them with technical assistance and support in their data modernization efforts, specifically adapted to each Tribe's infrastructure and capacity needs. 

If your Tribe/Tribal Organization is interested in applying, please complete the application here: Tribal eCR & Data Modernization Mentorship Program Application

Questions? Please contact Sophie Sembajwe

Funding Opportunities

Montana Healthcare Foundation 2026 Call for Proposals

MTHF’s 2026 call for proposals offers Montana-based organizations a chance to apply for funding to design and pilot innovative Montana-grown solutions to critical health challenges. The 2026 call for proposals opened on January 15 and applications are due by March 31. MTHF is hosting a webinar on February 12 at 11am to provide a detailed review of this opportunity. Please register for the webinar if you plan to submit an application. Additional details can be found here.

Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure (BOLD) Funding Opportunity

The Montana Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program has released a mini-grant opportunity ($9,500) for local and tribal organizations addressing brain health and memory loss. Applications are due February 9th, 2026. Projects must be completed by September 29th, 2026. Details and the application are available here.

2026 Community Change Grants | America Walks

America Walks and the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity are excited to announce another round of the Community Change Grant program. This program will award 6 grantees $2,000 in community grants for projects related to creating healthy, active, and engaged places to live, work, and play. This program supports the CDC’s Active People, Healthy Nation℠ initiative which aims to help 27 million people become more physically active by 2027. Details and the application are available here.

MTPHI Community Engagement Grant Opportunity

MTPHI accepts applications for the Community Engagement grant opportunity on a rolling basis. Questions? Contact grants@mtphi.org