State invests $6.5M to support tribal behavioral health initiatives

Commuter buses with Fort Peck Transit help transport patients to and from their appointments at Verne E Gibbs Health Center in Poplar on the Fort Peck Reservation. The health center is part of Indian Health Services.

Missoulian file photo

Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday announced an investment of up to $6.5 million in one-time grants for tribes and Urban Indian Health Organizations to improve behavioral health services. 

The investment was advised by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission, a group tasked with recommending to the governor how a historic $300 million investment should be spent.

The $6.5 million can be used by tribes and Urban Indian Health Organizations to improve and expand existing behavioral health services and to support mobile teams and address transportation needs. 

Jason Smith, executive director of the Montana Consortium of Urban Indian Health, said the consortium is grateful for the financial support. 

“Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) do incredible work on limited budgets,” he said. “These funds will help UIOs provide the mental and substance use health care that patients need and deserve.”

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