Southwest Montana News

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has initiated a grant program to enhance residential bed capacity for community living providers serving individuals with serious mental illness or developmental disabilities. The program, announced by DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton, involves a $10 million one-time grant.

“We’re thrilled to announce that the application portal is now live for the first round of BHSFG funding,” stated Director Brereton. “We encourage eligible health care providers to submit their proposals as quickly as possible so we can increase bed capacity across the state and ensure more Montanans have access to the services they need.”

Proposals are being accepted online from February 5, 2024, through March 8, 2024, via Submittable. This initiative follows Governor Greg Gianforte's signing of House Bill 872 on May 22, 2023, which aims to reform Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities service systems with a $300 million investment.

The Residential Grant Near-Term Initiative (NTI), passed by the BHSFG Commission on October 13, 2023, was approved by Governor Gianforte. The grant seeks to stabilize or expand residential services in Montana and build sustainable capacity while ensuring appropriate clinical settings closer to home.

Grant funds may be used for new facility purchases or builds, upgrades or maintenance of existing facilities, hiring and training staff, and revenue supplementation due to low volume or lack of economies of scale during startup.

An informational webinar will be held on February 9, 2024, at 11 a.m., where DPHHS will discuss program requirements and processes. The session will be recorded for public access.

For further details, visit futuregenerations.mt.gov.