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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 30 2024

Contact: Kaitlin Price , Office of the Governor

Governor Gianforte Invests $600,000 to Strengthen Montana’s Direct Care Workforce

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced an investment of up to $600,000 to strengthen the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce and better support Montanans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

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

“With this investment, we are equipping our health care delivery system with the right tools and training needed to support Montanans with IDD seeking medical and behavioral health care,” Gov. Gianforte said. “By investing in our direct care workforce, we are enhancing the quality of care in Montana and promoting better outcomes.”

The initiative will provide one-time grants to five service providers for DSPs to become certified, and to sponsor access to training for healthcare professionals and behavioral health staff working with Montanans with IDD. This innovative workforce pilot aims to improve workforce stabilization and enhance capacity development across Montana’s healthcare continuum to support the needs of individuals with IDD.

Established through House Bill 872, the BHSFG Commission is tasked with providing recommendations for allocating the governor’s historic $300 million investment to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities service systems.

The commission is tasked with developing recommendations to stabilize behavioral health and developmental disabilities service providers, increase and strengthen the behavioral health and developmental disabilities workforce to provide critical care to those in need, increase availability of integrated physical and behavioral health care, and support the establishment of behavioral health settings and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

More information about the commission and its work may be found on the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations page.