CSS: Traci: Montana Disability and Health Program and Sales and Service
Project Description:
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services established the Montana Disability and Health Program (MTDH) in 2002. The Department charged MTDH to serve as a focal point for disability programs, services, and activities related to health in the State. The Chief of the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion serves as the Principal Investigator of the program. In addition, the Department has designated the University of Montanans Rural Institute on Inclusive Communities as its agent to provide program supports. A faculty member of the Institute serves as Project Director under contract to the Department.
MTDHs mission is to eliminate health disparities experienced by Montanans with disabilities. Specific goals of this program include:
1) Enhance program infrastructure and capacity
2) Improve state level surveillance and monitoring activities
3) Increase awareness of health-related disability policy initiatives
4) Increase health promotion opportunities for people with disabilities to maximize health
5) Improve access to health care for people with disabilities
6) Improve emergency preparedness among people with disabilities
7) Effectively monitor and evaluate program activities
MTDH executes this mission (1) by monitoring the health status of Montanans with disabilities, (2) by facilitating the involvement of people with disabilities and their representatives in policy and planning processes of the state, (3) by integrating health issues into the activities of state disability services programs, (4) by integrating disability issues into broader programs and services of the state, (5) by providing training and technical assistance on delivering health promotion services to populations of persons with disabilities, (6) by improving access to health screenings and health care, (7) by promoting improvements in accessibility of community environments to local agencies and organizations providing health and disability program, and (8) by demonstrating new, evidence based approaches to health promotion for people with disabilities.
Organizationally, a CORE Management Team (CMT) provides oversight and direction. The CMT is composed of the directors of the four DPHHS divisions most directly involved in health and disability (Public Health and Safety, Developmental Services, Disability Transition Services, and Senior and Long Term Care). Finally, two faculty members of the University of Montanas Rural Institute (Project Director and Senior Scientist) staff the program and participate as members of the CMT.
Additionally, a CMDH provides advice to the CMT and conducts programmatic initiatives of its own. The CMDH is composed of individuals with disabilities from State designated geographic regions, various disability service providers, and key State agency personnel. Programmatically, staff of the Rural Institute organizes data about issues of disability and health to present to the CMT. The CMT assesses the data, seeks advice from the CMDH and sets priorities for policy and program implementation. Depending on the area, the CMT may set program goals and procedures for their own divisions, collaborate with each other to achieve a goal, identify other agencies of State government that should integrate disability and health priorities and practices into their programs, or direct the bona fide agents to conduct specific program activities. Finally, the CMT monitors and assess program performance.
Keyword(s):
public health; disability management; health disparities / health promotion
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Housing-Related Activities, Transportation-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership, Other
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional, National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
