Hello again! At the time of posting our last monthly update, we had no idea what the world had in store for all of us. We are truly living in historic times that have knocked all of us off our game a bit (or a lot), so please excuse the absence of these updates. On the bright side, we are now on the doorstep of another Montana summer, and simply couldn’t be more excited for the possibilities around the corner!
Below are some recent developments that have taken place in our world that we’d like you to know about. Please take a minute to read through these points and then reach out if you have any questions or comments.
New Policy and Advocacy Director
The Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana welcomes Pat Noonan as our Policy and Advocacy Director. The Alliance is contracting with Pat to provide legislative, policy, and advocacy services throughout the year and during the biennial legislative sessions. Pat has a long history of work in the behavioral health field, primarily in children’s services, and is passionate about working to improve care for all behavioral health clients. Pat can be reached at [email protected].
Alliance Membership Applications
The Alliance is currently accepting applications for membership for Fiscal Year 2021 starting July 1, 2020. You can get all the information on applying at https://montanabehavioralhealth.org/join/. Benefits for membership include a yearly membership to National Council on Behavioral Health, multiple personnel and insurance memberships, full-time behavioral health policy and advocacy work, participation available in state negotiations on programs and rates, and much more!
Home Support Services Taskforce
The Alliance and Children’s Mental Health Bureau are convening a taskforce to work on the Home Support Services Program. The HSS rates were cut in 2018 and many providers are no longer providing these very important, community-based services. The Alliance advocates for evidence-based, outcome-based programming that reimburses at a rate that covers the actual costs of providing the services.
Again, please reach out to me if there is anything you need. When we work together, we can solve all the problems out there!
Stay safe. Stay healthy.