07/31/2026
At the July 1, 2026, Board of Health meeting, it was announced that the City-County Health Department will not apply to continue receiving long-standing Healthy Montana Families funding.
This decision was not considered during a Board of Health meeting, nor was it discussed in a County Commissioners meeting. How was this decision reached?
Healthy Montana Families is an evidence-based program that supports pregnant women and families with young children through services such as home visiting, prenatal education, child development, parenting education, breastfeeding and nutrition support, school readiness activities, home safety education, connections to community resources, and support for family well-being.
The grant has historically provided approximately $433,000 annually to the City-County Health Department and has served about 100 families each year, with approximately 64 families receiving long-term services. The funding pays for salaries, benefits, supplies, utilities, and other program operating expenses, leaving very little cost to the county.
The Parents as Teachers and SafeCare programs have been part of the City-County Health Department for at least a decade. Most participants are referred through child welfare and are considered at high risk for child abuse and neglect. These evidence-based programs are designed to strengthen families and help prevent abuse and neglect before crises occur.
Two county staff positions funded through the Healthy Montana Families grant have remained vacant and were not posted for recruitment. The remaining three grant-funded positions are expected to be eliminated when the current grant ends in October.
You will be able to view the July 1 meeting at this County webpage: https://www.cascadecountymt.gov/agendacenter
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