Approved BHSFG Near-Term Initiatives
Near-Term Initiatives (NTIs) reflect common sense, actionable ideas to address largely known and worsening gaps in Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities systems.
Governor Gianforte has approved 11 NTIs. The information for each NTI below is current as of February 2026. Unless otherwise indicated, contracts for most NTIs conclude in SFY27.
Upon Commission recommendation and approval by the Governor, DPHHS began implementing these NTIs in 2023 ahead of the completion of the Commission’s final report in 2024 (PDF).
The NTI’s were selected based on the following criteria, with goals of:
- Focusing on solving specific, largely unknown and worsening problems in the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities systems.
- Deploying targeted funding to address those problems while identifying a path towards sustainability.
- Being achievable within the current resource constraints of DPHHS.
- Building upon existing DPHHS programs or infrastructure where and when possible.
- Considering a wide range of inputs, including responses to the Commission's RFIs.
Eleven initiatives were approved by Governor Gianforte:
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 10/13/23 |
| Approved by Governor | 12/19/23 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $7.5M |
| Amount Obligated | $7.5M |
| Funding Spent to Date | $516,600 |
A total of $7.5 million in state funds is available to incentivize community-based court-ordered evaluations (COEs) and stabilization services. The goal is to reduce the backlog of evaluations at the Montana State Hospital Forensic Mental Health Facility (also known as Galen). These services can be provided in various community settings, including jails, private offices, hospitals, or via telehealth.
Update as of September 2026: Since July 2024, DPHHS has paid for 200 community-based court-ordered evaluations (COEs) and related activities. These have been conducted in 23 Montana counties, with eleven providers regularly performing the evaluations. The counties utilizing this service are among those with the highest need for fitness evaluations.
In addition, the Department has released an RFP for the $6.5 million Stabilization Services Pilot Grant Program, funded by HB 863. Montana counties and municipalities can apply for funding to expand community-based stabilization services, strengthen local mental health infrastructure, and help divert individuals from the Forensic Mental Health Facility (Galen) waitlist.
To view the solicitation, search “Community Stabilization Services” at bids.mt.gov.
- Questions for the RFP closed on Sept. 1, 2026.
- Answers will be posted by Sept. 8, 2026.
- Proposals are due by 2 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2026.
Previous communications
Background information
The Community-Based Court-Ordered Evaluations and Stabilization Near-Term Initiative (NTI) (PDF) launched on March 8, 2024 after receiving approval from Governor Greg Gianforte and the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission (BHSFG).
DPHHS has prepared a detailed summary (PDF) that outlines the new process from the time a judge issues a COE to be conducted in the community to when a provider submits a claim for reimbursement.
Under this process, a County Attorney may request that a judge specify that a COE be completed locally. A court official will notify the County Attorney when an order granting their request for a community-based COE has been issued.
While many of these services require commitment to the FMHF, some reimbursable community-based stabilization and restoration services may be utilized in non-FMHF settings if the specific nature of a defendant’s needs can be met in the community.
Resources:
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 10/13/23 |
| Approved by Governor | 12/19/23 |
| Amended Request Approved by Commission | 6/20/24 |
| Amended Request Approved by Governor | 6/24/24 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $15.8M |
| Amount Obligated | $15.7M |
| Funding Spent to Date | $14,002,035 |
Grants of up to $15.8 million will be awarded to community living providers to increase residential bed capacity for people with serious mental health or developmental disabilities. The grants, which can be used for new facilities, upgrades, staffing, and startup costs, aim to stabilize and grow residential services statewide.
Update as of September 2026: Since Sept. 16, 2024, the Residential Bed Capacity Grant has disbursed over $14 million across more than 360 invoices. This funding has completed 81 projects in 18 counties, creating or reopening 215 beds and maintaining 479 others.
The Department projects this grant will support 990 beds statewide, including 241 new, 94 reopened, and 655 maintained. While funding was scheduled to sunset in March 2026, the Department has granted one-time, six-month extensions for providers to ensure full utilization of funds and the successful completion of NTI goals.
Previous communications
- Recommendation for Grants to Increase Residential Bed Capacity (mt.gov) (PDF)
- DPHHS Launches Grant Program to Increase Residential Bed Capacity
- Governor Gianforte Invests $15.8 Million to Increase Community-Based Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Care
- Residential Bed Capacity Grant Award Information (PDF)
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 11/30/23 |
| Approved by Governor | 01/22/24 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $7.5M |
| Amount Obligated | $7.5M |
| Funding Spent to Date | $4,357,813 |
This initiative provides one-time grants to new and existing Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) and Crisis Receiving and Stabilization providers. The goal is to sustain mobile crisis programs and increase statewide capacity for crisis receiving and stabilization services.
Mobile Crisis Response
Update as of September 2026: A total of $3.5 million was previously awarded to support MCR programs in Flathead, Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, and Missoula Counties. Funding expired in June 2026. Connections, in partnership with Gallatin County, received an extension to spend the remaining funds.
Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Services: Cascade, Flathead, Gallatin, and Lewis and Clark Counties received Crisis Diversion Grant (CDG) funding for facilities that divert people from higher levels of care. Carbon County returned its award, which was redirected to NTI #4 to add additional funding to the Crisis Curriculum and Certification course.
Update as of September 2026:
- Gallatin County: Human Resource Development Council will reserve warming-center space following renovations and provider selection.
- Cascade County: Renovations are expected to be complete by June 30, 2027.
- Lewis and Clark County: Journey Home opened in May 2026.
- Flathead County: Glacier House will open after AWARE hires staff.
Previous communications
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 12/01/23 |
| Approved by Governor | 01/22/24 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $500K |
| Amount Obligated | $439K |
| Funding Spent to Date | $368,293 |
For this initiative, DPHHS contracted with a vendor to create and host a Crisis Worker Certification Course. This course intends to train crisis service providers in key areas like suicidology, intervention strategies, and community resources. The vendor is currently working with DPHHS and crisis providers to develop the curriculum.
Update as of September 2026: Montana Crisis Now Training is open for enrollment. This free, self-paced online program was developed with the University of Montana (UM) and Montana crisis-response professionals for people who respond to behavioral health crises, including mobile crisis teams, crisis center staff, 988 staff, law enforcement, EMS, peer supporters, and other helping professionals.
Eligible Montana Medicaid providers may receive a $750 incentive for each employee who earns a Crisis Now Training certification between June 30, 2026, and May 31, 2027. Eligible providers are Medicaid-enrolled agencies reimbursed for Mobile Crisis Response, Mobile Crisis Care Coordination, and/or Crisis Receiving and Stabilization services under the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Manual policies 452, 454, or 450. The Department plans to require this training for these services in the future.
Course details:
- Six self-paced online modules
- At least six 90-minute Zoom coaching sessions
- 120 days to complete; no travel required
- UM Certificate of Completion
Register for the UM Crisis Now Training Program.
Previous communications
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 01/11/24 |
| Approved by Governor | 01/30/24 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $600K |
| Amount Obligated | $572K |
| Funding Spent to Date | $466,530 |
This initiative provides up to $350,000 to pilot a credentialing structure for Direct Support Professionals (DSP), creating career advancement opportunities to help stabilize the workforce. An additional $200,000 will be used to enhance training for health care professionals on how to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by sponsoring 500 spots in an IDD Health care e-learning course.
Update as of September 2026: As of August 2026, approximately 100 DSPs have enrolled with more than 125 certifications issued through National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). The IDD Healthcare eLearn course through IntellectAbility has approximately 170 current users. Those who have taken the course report having a better understanding on how to care for and what to look for with patients with IDD.
Previous communications
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 04/23/23 |
| Approved by Governor | 06/12/24 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $700K |
| Amount Obligated | $675K |
| Funding Spent to Date | $461,329 |
This initiative awarded $700,000 in one-time grants to AWARE, Inc., Mental Health American of Montana, Montana Rescue Mission, and St. John’s United to create a family peer support pilot program. The goal is to give Montana families and caretakers access to a cost-effective support solution.
Update as of September 2026: The two remaining Family Peer Support (FPS) pilot sites served 84 Montana families from January through July 2026 and will continue supporting parents, caregivers, and guardians of youth with serious emotional disturbances through May 2027. An extension grant, funded by unspent dollars from a grantee that exited the program early, allows services to continue beyond the January 2027 grant end date. More information is available on the Family Peer Support Pilot Program web page.
Previous communications
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 05/20/24 |
| Approved by Governor | 07/17/24 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $6.5M |
| Amount Obligated | $6.5M |
| Funding Spent to Date | $3,052,450 |
This initiative provides 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 in Native American communities. The funding can be used for facility improvements, mobile crisis response teams, and transportation to culturally relevant behavioral health facilities.
Update as of September 2026: Each Montana tribe and UHIO received approximately $500,000 in one-time grants to improve behavioral health services. All 13 awardees are implementing projects such as facility improvements, vehicle purchases, transportation, and cultural healing spaces. Twelve awardees have invoiced the Department, and four have completed their projects. Some grants were extended through April 2027, and all awardees are expected to spend their full awards by April 30, 2027.
Previous communications
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 05/20/24 |
| Approved by Governor | 07/31/24 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $1M |
| Amount Obligated | $316K |
| Funding Spent to Date | $316K |
This initiative allocated up to $1,000,000 for a statewide study to determine the necessary funding to supplement housing costs for low-income Montanans in the behavioral health system. DPHHS and the Department of Commerce partnered to complete the study, which collected data on current rental rates in order to secure critical funding from HUD for Montana housing vouchers. Econometrica, Inc. and M. Davis and Company, Inc. conducted the research. Completed on time and under budget, the study secured over $20 million in HUD funding for Montana housing vouchers, significantly supporting affordable housing efforts.
Previous communications
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 05/20/24 |
| Approved by Governor | 08/16/24 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $400K |
This initiative will provide up to $400,000 to combat the fentanyl and opioid crisis. The one-time funding will be used to install Wellness Kiosks statewide, dispensing life-saving resources like fentanyl testing strips and naloxone. These kiosks will be strategically placed in community-based programs, such as homeless assistance and drop-in centers, to ensure low-barrier access to these resources.
Update as of September 2026: The Department contracted with SimpliChek in June 2026 to install, stock, and maintain Wellness Kiosks that dispense naloxone and fentanyl test strips. SimpliChek was selected for its experience with overdose-prevention technology and secure, community-focused dispensing systems.
Previous communications
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 05/20/24 |
| Approved by Governor | 09/19/24 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $4M |
| Amount Obligated | $4M |
| Funding Spent to Date | $1,957,267 |
In January 2025, the University of Montana (UM) and Carroll College were awarded $4 million to help launch new medical programs.
Update as of September 2026: Supported by $3.5 million in funding, the University of Montana (UM) and Carroll College are developing new Physician Assistant and Occupational Therapy programs to help address workforce shortages. UM is remodeling facilities and hiring staff to begin graduating 25 PAs and 30 OTs annually in 2028. Carroll College is finalizing its PA curriculum and rural clinical rotations for an anticipated cohort of 34 students beginning in May 2028.
Previous communications
| Approvals | Date |
|---|---|
| Approved by Commission | 06/28/24 |
| Approved by Governor | 09/26/24 |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Level | $2.5M |
| Amount Obligated | $2.5M |
| Funding Spent to Date | $1,339,785 |
The program awarded 10 two-year grants of up to $250,000 to rural and frontier Montana communities to expand behavioral health support across two tracks:
- System-Level Innovation: Seven awardees (the Chippewa Cree Tribe, and Teton, Dawson, Pondera, Beaverhead, Jefferson, and Richland counties) are partnering with the Montana Public Health Institute. They are using specialized public health toolkits to guide system changes and support dedicated local change leaders.
- Local-Based Community Health Workers (CHWs): Three awardees (the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe, and Garfield and Fallon counties) are partnering with Catalyst for Change. This partnership provides the training, clinical supervision, and telehealth access necessary for newly hired CHWs to effectively respond to crises and connect residents to care.
Update as of September 2026: System-Level Innovation awardees are advancing community assessments, strategic planning, and partner engagement. All awardees have hired Dedicated Change Leaders to strengthen cross-sector partnerships, improve behavioral health access, and build coordinated, prevention-focused systems of care. Community health workers are also serving residents in all three participating communities and connecting them with mental health resources.
Previous communications
