Montana Empowerment Center, Inc.

09/03/2026

One of our favorite Masons stopped by today to drop off a donation!

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are incredibly grateful for every dollar donated to support our mission and the children and families we serve.

Scottish Rite Masons have a long-standing commitment to helping children with communication challenges through RiteCare Language Clinics nationwide. This work is especially meaningful because speech impairment makes up 18% of IEPS from the 13 disability categories.

Thank you, Masons, for your continued generosity and for all you do to support children with disabilities. We are so grateful to have you in our corner!

https://grandlodgemontana.org/mt-lodge-locator

09/02/2026

https://mailchi.mp/mtempowermentcenter.org/every-child-deserves-hope-connection-support Su***de Prevention Month & More

08/31/2026

Today we'd like to thank the Chamber's Leadership Great Falls Class for inviting us to be partner of the Nonprofit Day panel. We appreciated your excellent questions and engagement. We also thank employers for sponsoring our events, lending volunteers, and providing donations to support programs in the community.

Thanks for all the Chamber does to support nonprofits. We couldn't do this without you!

Nonprofit Day Panel:
Opportunities, Inc.
Alliance for Youth
Family Promise
Peace Place
YWCA
CASA
St. Vincent De Paul/Grace Haven
Montana Empowerment Center
North Central Independent Living Services, Inc.
NeighborWorks

Photo credit: Alisha Lashley, Opportunities Inc

08/31/2026

BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING NOTICE (NO.2026-176.1)

Summary
Adoption of NEW RULE 1 (10.55.725) and amendment of ARM 10.55.602 and 10.55.805 pertaining to the Special Education Technician in the Accreditation Standards

Hearing Date and Time
Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Virtual Hearing Information
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/89725865122

Comments may be submitted using the contact information below. Comments must be received by Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

https://rules.mt.gov/browse/collections/5e1173a6-33c7-4df8-b426-5e0077cfc430/policies/9ce9183d-f137-41d7-9e45-9bd782286305

Esper is the first cloud-based platform to help governments proactively manage public policy with better data and transparency.

08/29/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month

Depression is Treatable — Su***de is Preventable

• Research in Developmental Disabilities reported thoughts of su***de and su***de attempts are common among people with mild or moderate intellectual disability, but rare in people with severe or profound intellectual disability.

• Camouflaging or masking is a strategy used by people with ASD
to hide their differences from peers and family according to research published in Lancet Psychiatry. People with ASD may try to look and act like others by concealing their autistic traits, causing them to lose their sense of self and feel unsupported as a person. Constantly working to hide themselves may lead to a profound sense of loneliness and not belonging.

If you are in crisis and want help, please call, text, or chat the Montana Crisis Lifeline, 24/7, at 988.

https://dphhs.mt.gov/su***deprevention/su***deresources

08/25/2026

Come one, come all! Its virtual and FREE, so get comfy wherever you are and join all 4 sessionin the next few months to educate yourself on all things DISASBILITY ADVOCACY!

08/25/2026

Do you know an employer who is doing a great job hiring, supporting, and including people with disabilities in the workplace?

Please take a moment to nominate an employer and share their story.

08/21/2026

A big shoutout to the statewide Independent Living Summit in Billings this week!

Sen. Mike Yakawich (Senate District 24) shared an important reminder: get to know your local legislators and build strong working relationships with them. When we know each other, understand each other’s priorities, and keep the lines of communication open, we’re better positioned to advocate for the people and communities we serve.

Independent Living Centers are among our strongest allies in Transition to Adulthood, and we’re grateful for the work they do every day to empower young people with disabilities to build the lives they want.

Stronger partnerships + stronger advocacy = better together!

Summit Independent Living Ability Montana LIFTT North Central Independent Living Services, Inc.

08/20/2026

https://mailchi.mp/mtempowermentcenter.org/from-preschool-to-adulthood-planning-for-what-comes-next
What’s Next? Helping Your Child Navigate Life’s Transitions

The word transition can mean many things—not just moving from high school into adulthood. For children with disabilities, transitions can include moving from early intervention to preschool, preschool to kindergarten, elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, or high school to adult life.

08/19/2026

Proud to be part of the statewide Independent Living Symposium today, celebrating decades of disability rights, community advocacy, and self-determination across Big Sky Country!

It is incredible to connect with leaders, advocates, and partners from across the state as we mark the history and impact of Centers for Independent Living in Montana. For nearly 50 years, Montana's CIL network has been knocking down barriers, advancing equity, and empowering individuals with disabilities to live full, self-directed lives in their own communities.

A major focus of our work—and a highlight of this symposium—is supporting young people during the transition to adulthood. Navigating the move from high school to higher education, employment, and independent living is a massive milestone. Because our agency partners with young adults up to age 26, we get to see firsthand what happens when youth are given the resources, skills training, and peer support they need to own their futures.

Huge thank you to all our agency partners, fellow CILs, and community members who work alongside us every day. Here’s to continuing the movement and empowering the next generation of leaders!



The Road to Freedom: Celebrating 50 years of Independent Living Centers in Montana
Summit Independent Living North Central Independent Living Services, Inc. LIFTT Ability Montana

Share this with anyone you recognize in these photos!