Governor's Council on Homelessness
This council was created by the governor in May 2004 to raise awareness of and combat homelessness in Montana. The council, working with the department, will examine solutions to the root causes of homelessness through fundamental changes in state policy. Specifically, it will explore ways to prevent child abuse, assist victims of domestic abuse, and improve accessibility to treatments for substance abuse and mental illness.
The council also will try to increase access for the homeless to such programs as Medicaid, food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), housing and other services designed to foster self-sufficiency. Finally, the council will complete an inventory of state program discharge policies and practices and use that information to help initiate best practice models.
A Native American subcommittee will be charged with focusing exclusively on the specific needs of American Indian populations, both on and off reservations.
For more information about the council, contact Jim Nolan, Human and Community Services Division, at 406-447-4260 or jnolan@mt.gov. Or contact Sherrie Downing at 406-443-0580.
Page last updated: 07/31/2006
