Southwest Montana News

Governor Greg Gianforte has announced a $600,000 investment aimed at bolstering Montana's Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce. This initiative is designed to enhance support for Montanans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

The funding comes as part of the third allocation from a $300 million fund dedicated last year by the governor to reform and improve the state's behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems. This allocation follows recommendations from the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission.

“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,” stated Governor Gianforte. “By investing in our direct care workforce, we are enhancing the quality of care in Montana and promoting better outcomes.”

The program will offer one-time grants to five service providers, enabling DSPs to gain certification. It will also sponsor training access for healthcare professionals and behavioral health staff working with individuals with IDD in Montana. The pilot project aims to stabilize the workforce and boost capacity development across Montana’s healthcare continuum.

The BHSFG Commission was established through House Bill 872. Its role includes making recommendations on how best to allocate the governor's significant $300 million investment towards reforming Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities service systems.

The commission's responsibilities include developing strategies to stabilize service providers, strengthen the workforce providing critical care, increase availability of integrated physical and behavioral healthcare, and support establishing settings for behavioral health services as well as intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.