As we embark on another important year for behavioral health in Montana, which will include a vital legislative session, it’s important to look back at the past year to recognize and appreciate the passion and work of our board and our members, as well as some of the things we accomplished.
BHAM Retrospective – 2024
Changes in BHAM
- We added two new members: 406 Recovery and Crosswinds Recovery, putting us at 33 members.
- Board Elections took place in June, our Board of Directors is currently:
- Chair: Brenda Kneeland, Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center – Adult Services
- Vice Chair: Matt Bugni, AWARE, At-Large Member
- Treasurer: Jeremy Williams, Providence St. Pat’s, Children’s Services
- Secretary: Danielle Dunn, Alternatives, At-Large Member
- Board Member: Sydney Blair, Many Rivers Whole Health, Adult Services
- Board Member: Kathy Chavis, SUD Treatment, Native American Services
- Amy Shaer, Youth Homes, Children’s Services
- Carrie Krepps, Florence Crittenton, At-Large Member
- Maria Mulvaugh, L’Esprit, SUD Services
- Kevin Sandoval, Helena Urban Indian Alliance, Native American Services
- Shari Rigg, Stepping Stones Behavioral Health, SUD Services
- Past Presidents: Mike Chavers, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch; Lenette Kosovich, Rimrock; Jim FitzGerald, Intermountain; Jodi Daly, Western Montana Mental Health Center
- In 2024, BHAM began the search for a new Executive Director. In July, Sierra Riesberg started with BHAM, taking on the Executive Director position, while Mary Windecker transitioned into a part-time Government Affairs role.
- In September, BHAM also held their Strategic Planning Session in Missoula.
- We’ve maintained our contract with DPHHS to conduct training for evidence-based outcome measurement tools for both adults and youth programs. We worked with JG Research to build a data dashboard to help collect and analyze data across the system. Here’s some of the good work that has come out of that in 2024:
- We have 14 BHAM Member agencies utilizing the Dashboard.
- We have 14 PACT/MACT teams utilizing the Dashboard.
- BHAM Members completed 6,214 screens for clients.
BHAM Collaboration
- BHAM continues to be the lead on CCBHCs in Montana, working closely with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Unfortunately, DPHHS was not an awardee of one of the 10 CMS CCBHC Demonstration Project Grants in 2024. DPHHS has applied for a new planning grant and plans to apply for the next round of CMS CCBHC Demonstration Grants in 2026.
- In July 2024, providers go the second round of payments coming from the historic provider rate increase from the 2023 Legislative Session. This rate increase had a huge impact on BHAM members, and we will continue to advocate for rate increases for adult and SUD providers, as well as regularly scheduled cost reporting and rate increases across the behavioral health system.
- BHAM partnered with State of Mind, a statewide theater and public dialogue tour aimed at community listening, tackling stigmas around mental and behavioral health, sharing resources, and exploring strategies for care across our communities.
- The 2023 Legislature created the BHSFG Commission to allocate the $300 million of funding made available through HB 872 to improve the behavioral health system. Many of BHAM’s recommendations made it to the Commission. And after much diligent work by the Commission, the report was finalized and sent to Governor Gianforte on September 30, 2024, which identified 22 recommendations and 11 Near Term Initiatives.
- Planning for Legislative Session: Here is BHAM’s platform for the Legislative Session, with additional information and talking points here.
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.
Sierra
info@bhamt.org