Montana Statewide Independent Living Council (MTSILC)

MT SILC

The Montana Statewide Independent Living Council (MTSILC or “the SILC”) is a governor appointed, consumer-controlled council mandated in Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act (as amended.)  Council membership must be majority people with disabilities from across Montana.

Other key membership:

  • Tribal Health representative
  • Center for Independent Living Director
  • Vocational Rehab and Blind Services Representative
  • Youth (age 18-24) representative
  • Parent of a child with a disability
  • representatives from other state agencies that provide services for individuals with disabilities throughout all age ranges and disability types.

 

If you want to provide input for the development of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL), learn more about the council or to find out how to become a representative, please contact:

111 North Last Chance Gulch, Suite 4C
PO Box 4210
Helena, Montana, 59604-4210
1-877-296-1197 (Toll-free consumer line)
(406) 444-2590 (Voice/TTY)
(406) 444-3632 (Fax)
mtsilc@mt.gov

 

Members Needed

Contact us now to serve on MTSILC!
mtsilc@mt.gov
406-454-6066
406-202-8064

Independent Living means people with disabilities participating in community life and pursuing activities based entirely upon self-determined interests and preferences.

YOU can help make Independent Living a reality for ALL Montanans.

MTSILC requires people with all types of disabilities from every corner of montana to lead and empower their community.

Contact mtsilc@mt.gov or 406-454-6066 for more information or to apply.

Alternatively, you can fill out this MTSILC online application form.

Scott Williamson, Chair
swilliam4989@gmail.com
Ronan

Michael Manhardt, Vice Chair
mrmanhardt@uwalumni.com
Missoula

Jean Schroeder, Secretary
jschroeder@mtempowermentcenter.org
Vaughn

Tami Hoar, CIL Director 
thoar@summitilc.org
Missoula

June Hermanson, Advocate
jguenzler@hotmail.com
Helena

Julie Williams, MonTECH
julie.williams@mso.umt.edu
Missoula

Allyson Talaska, VR Rep
Allyson.Talaska@mt.gov
Missoula

Tom Thompson
tomskilaw@gmail.com
Missoula

Savanah Smith, Parent
savvyrs07@gmail.com 
Poplar

Hannah Thompson, Advocate
hthompsonsilc@gmail.com
Missoula

Vacancies:
Tribal Representative
Member At-Large
Advocate

One role of the SILC is to help develop the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL,) which contains the policies and recommendations for the state independent living program. 

Another important role of the SILC is to identify societal barriers to independent living and to collaborate with Centers for Independent Living, Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind services (VRBS) and other shareholders to remove those barriers and to increase the supports and services needed to create independent living opportunities. Other MTSILC activities include sponsoring public hearings, quarterly public meetings, and other educational and outreach efforts; providing information to public officials, state agencies and local organizations and individuals; and conducting studies, and research.

The SILC also partners with the State Rehabilitation Council and Centers for Independent Living to advocate, expand disability services, provide disability education, and assist in the development of future disability leaders through programs like the Montana Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF).

SILC Quarterly Meetings

Meeting Dates, Agendas and Minutes
Meeting Date Meeting Location Agenda Link Minutes Link
September 9th to 11th, 2024
IL Symposium
Helena

April 16, 17, & 18, 2024
Joint SILC & SRC Meeting

Missoula Hybrid
January 16 & 17, 2024 Virtual Agenda
November 21, 2023
9am-3pm
Virtual Agenda Minutes
August 23 & 24, 2023 Billings Minutes
May 10, 2023
SRC Joint Meeting
Helena
May 9, 2023 Helena Minutes
January 25, 2023 Montana State Capitol Minutes
December 12, 2022 Virtual Minutes
November 14, 2022 Virtual Only
August 18, 2022 Great Falls, Hybrid
April 20, 2022 Helena, Hybrid

Agenda

April 21, 2022 Helena, Hybrid, SRC Joint Meeting
January 18-19, 2022 Helena, Hybrid

Minutes

 

MT SPIL 2024 Writing Committee Meetings

***public welcome

Meeting dates:

Feb. 8th, 22nd
March 7th, 21st
April 4th, 18th
May 2nd, 16th

Link for all meetings:
https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/86883939715?pwd=N3NwTEJJdXJaQUNRdnlHY29KUEN0dz09


Legislative Day
:  January 26, 2023, Montana State Capital, Helena

Rally Day:  March 9, 2023, Montana State Capital, Helena

Governor's Reports downloads 

SILC Governor's Reports
2023 2022 2021
2020 2019 2018
2017 2016 2015