It’s hard to believe, but we’ve rounded the halfway point of the year and the days are already beginning to get shorter despite the fact that everyone’s summer vibe is just getting started! So despite what the calendar says, we are still looking forward to fulfilling days on the river, tending to the garden, and late nights spent by the fire pit … whether it’s in the backyard or the campsite.
BHAM is pleased to announce a new executive director in this installment of the monthly newsletter, and are looking forward to her coming on board later in the summer. With this transition, BHAM’s outlook is as bright as the summer months that lie ahead.
BHAM Welcomes New Executive Director:
The Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Sierra Riesberg will be joining the BHAM in late July!
Sierra Riesberg has over 10 years of experience in the social services field, working in both rural and urban communities, as well as within behavioral health, intellectual/developmental, and aging populations. She is a systems-level thinker and wants to break down barriers for anyone who needs to access services, as well as barriers for service providers to be able to provide the services that community members need. Additionally, she believes that complex problems cannot be solved by one person or one agency alone; unique perspectives and collaboration are key to the progression and development of our social services system.
Mary Windecker will be moving to a part-time transition and government affairs position for the next year.
Peer Support Summit September 6, 2024 in Helena!:
The Montana Peer Support and Recovery Services Symposium will take place in Helena, MT on September 6, 2024.
Download a PDF version of the flyer here.
Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission (872 Commission):
https://dphhs.mt.gov/FutureGenerations/Index
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 8th in Helena. At their April meeting, they outlined a number of recommendations from DPHHS. You can see the recommendations HERE
If you are interested in submitting comments to the commission for the last meeting, please send them here: https://mt.accessgov.com/dphhs/Forms/Page/bhdd/futuregenerationsfeedback/1
Children’s and Families Health and Human Services Interim Committee:
The CFHHS Interim Committee will continue to tackle reform of the Children and Families Services Division. You can sign up for virtual testimony and see the agendas here:
Meeting Information – Montana State Legislature (mt.gov)
Here is the schedule of meetings for the next year:
July 17 & 18, 2024
September 11, 2024
Interim Budget Committee, Part B:
Part B oversees The Department of Public Health and Human Services will be meeting on July 23rd in Helena. No agenda is posted yet. You can view additional information here once it’s posted: https://leg.mt.gov/lfd/interim-budget-committee-section-b/
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.
Mary
info@bhamt.org