Charlie Brereton Director at Montana Department of Public Health | LinkedIn
Charlie Brereton Director at Montana Department of Public Health | LinkedIn
Governor Greg Gianforte has announced the appointments to the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission. This commission is tasked with providing recommendations on how to allocate a significant $300 million investment aimed at reforming Montana's behavioral health and developmental disabilities service systems.
The governor's appointees include Charlie Brereton, Director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS); Patrick Maddison, CEO of Flathead Industries; and Janet Lindow, Executive Director and co-founder of the Rural Behavioral Health Institute.
Governor Gianforte stated, "After decades of previous administrations applying Band-Aids and kicking the can down the road, we’re making a generational investment in our behavioral health and developmental disabilities service delivery systems." He added that this investment will help expand services so Montanans can access necessary care while improving service quality at state-run facilities like the state hospital in Warm Springs.
The investment was part of his Budget for Montana Families and was solidified when House Bill 872 was signed into law in June. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork, with support from Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber.
DPHHS Director Brereton expressed optimism about building on progress made in these areas: "With this investment, we’ll continue building on the progress we’ve made to bolster behavioral health and developmental disabilities services."
Alongside gubernatorial appointees, the commission includes Rep. Keenan and five other legislative members. The commission's objectives are to stabilize service providers, strengthen the workforce for critical care provision, increase integrated physical and behavioral health care availability, and support new settings for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Members of the commission are:
- Rep. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork
- Charlie Brereton, Director, DPHHS
- Patrick Maddison, CEO, Flathead Industries
- Janet Lindow, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Rural Behavioral Health Institute
- Rep. Michele Binkley, R-Hamilton
- Rep. Mike Yakawich, R-Billings
- Rep. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish
- Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber
- Sen. Ellie Boldman, D-Missoula
For more information about the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission visit futuregenerations.mt.gov.
Alerts Sign-up