Our website and newsletters list many resources and events not sponsored by Montana Empowerment Center to help families select those best suited to their particular need. We encourage you to obtain more information about all resources that interest you. Montana Empowerment Center does not support or endorse any therapy, medication or philosophy that families may encounter from the resources listed. Click on any box below for an expanded view of resources.
Autism
Montana Community Autism and Asperger’s Network – www.facebook.com/groups/MTCAAN
Brain Injury
Brain Injury Alliance of Montana – www.brainline.org/resource/brain-injury-alliance-montana
Cross Disability
Bozeman Area Special Education Parent Teacher Association – www.bozemansepta.org/
Centers for Independent Living
Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT) – www.liftt.org
Montana Independent Living Project (MILP) – www.milp.us
North Central Independent Living Services (NCILS) – http://ncils.org
Summit Independent Living Center (Summit) – www.summitilc.org
Disability Rights Montana – www.disabilityrightsmt.org
Orchid Club Montana – http://orchidclubmt.org/
Parents of Special Needs Children, Billings Facebook Group – www.facebook.com/Parents-of-Special-Needs-Children-270355532984033/
Down Syndrome
Montana Down Syndrome Association – https://mtdsa.org/
Down Syndrome Research Education Advocacy in Montana (DREAM) – www.dream-mt.org/
Hearing
Montana Hands and Voices – www.mthandsandvoices.org, www.facebook.com/mthandsandvoices/
Montana Association of the Deaf – www.montanadeaf.org
Big Sky Recreation Association of the Deaf (BSRAD) – www.montanadeaf.org/big-sky-recreation-of-the-deaf
Great Fall Club of the Deaf (GFCD) – www.montanadeaf.org/great-fall-club-of-the-deaf
Beartooth Club of the Deaf (BCD) – www.montanadeaf.org/beartooth-club-of-the-deaf
Missoula Club of the Deaf (MCD) – www.montanadeaf.org/beartooth-club-of-the-deaf
Gallatin Association of the Deaf (GAD) – www.montanadeaf.org/beartooth-club-of-the-deaf
Mental Health
NAMI Billings – www.namibillings.org/
NAMI Missoula – https://namimissoula.org/
NAMI Montana – www.namimt.org
Vision
Montana School for the Deaf and Blind – http://msdb.mt.gov
National Federation of the Blind Montana – https://www.nfbofmt.org/
Treasure State At-large Chapter (Conference Call)
Electric City Chapter, Great Falls
Yellowstone County Chapter, Billings
LUK Third Party Trusts are now managed by Rural Dynamics, Inc., 410 Central Avenue, Suite 401, PO Box 2326, Great Falls, MT 59403. 406-454-5709 or 1-877-275-2227. Tom Jacobson, Executive Director, [email protected]
Children with Disabilities / Special Health Care Needs
Autism Grants for Families – www.autismspeaks.org/autism-grants-families
Children’s Special Health Services Financial Assistance Program, DPHHS – https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cshs/FinancialAssistance Can provide up to $2,000 per year of financial assistance for treatment and enabling services for qualifying children and youth with special healthcare needs.
Civil Rights
ACLU of Montana – www.aclumontana.org/
Montana Human Rights Bureau Complaint – http://erd.dli.mt.gov/human-rights
U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights – www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
Guardianship / Supported Decision Making
Guardianship / Conservatorship Brief (MT DPHHS) – https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/sltc/documents/legaldeveloper/5GuardianConservatorships.pdf
Montana Parent’s Handbook on Transition (PLUK Legacy Resource) – http://pluk.org/Pubs/PLUK_Transition_Adult_04_2008.pdf
UM Rural Institute Alternatives to Guardianship Toolkit – http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/transition/atg.asp
Montana Guardianship Legal Assistance Program (MT-GLAP) – https://courts.mt.gov/cao/ct_services/probono/resourcearticles/mt-glap
— A guardianship is is a court-ordered protective arrangement for a person (called the ward or “protected person”) who has been found by the Court to be incapacitated and in need of someone to oversee his or her personal care and decision-making to protect the ward’s health and safety. A guardianship may be used only as is necessary to promote and protect the well-being of the incapacitated person.
— The Montana Guardianship Legal Assistance Program (MT-GLAP), in partnership with dedicated volunteer attorneys, Montana Legal Services Association, the State Bar of Montana, and the Montana Supreme Court Pro Bono Program, is a statewide program designed to help meet the guardianship and conservatorship needs of low and moderate income Montanans, and those seeking assistance for special needs children.
— For information on program eligibility contact: Angie Wagenals, Pro Bono Coordinator, Montana Legal Services Association at 406-442-9830, Ext. 148 or [email protected]
Social Security Administration Benefits for Children with Disabilities
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children – SSI is a Federal income supplement program designed to help children who are blind or disabled under the age of 18.
— SSI Child Disability Starter Kit (for children under age 18) – www.ssa.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_child_eng.htm
— Compassionate Allowances Program – www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/index.htm
Reduces waiting time to reach a disability determination for children with the most serious disabilities.
Trusts / Savings Accounts / Financial Planning / Estate Planning
ABLE Accounts – An ABLE account allows a qualifying individual with a disability to have savings set aside up to allowable amounts, without impacting Social Security and Medicaid. Savings can then be used for qualifying disability-related expenses. An individual can only have one ABLE account and the person who benefits from the account is considered the owner of the account.
— ABLE National Resource Center – www.ablenrc.org
— Montana ABLE Accounts, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services – http://dphhs.mt.gov/dsd/developmentaldisabilities/ABLE
— Montana ABLE – https://savewithable.com/mt/home.html
— Montana ABLE Agent Authorization/Power of Attorney Form – https://cdn.unite529.com/jcdn/files/UABLE/pdfs/mt-poa.pdf
Third Party Trusts / Special Needs Trusts
— PLUK Third Party Trusts are now managed by Rural Dynamics, Inc., 410 Central Avenue, Suite 401, PO Box 2326, Great Falls, MT 59403. 406-454-5709 or 1-877-275-2227. Tom Jacobson, Executive Director, [email protected]
— Montana Self-Sufficiency Trusts Handbook (PLUK Legacy Resource 2005)
http://pluk. org/Pubs/MSST_2005_190KB_PDF.pdf
Guides
— Estate Planning for Families with Minor and/or Special Needs Children, Montana State University Extension – http://msuextension.org/publications/FamilyFinancialManagement/MT199117HR.pdf
— Financial Planning Guide for Parents with a Child with Special Needs, eParent.com – http://www.eparent.com/money-uncategorized/a-financial-planning-guide-for-parents-of-a-child-with-special-needs/
Disabilities & Special Health Care Needs
Mental Health
NAMI Montana – www.namimt.org/calendar.html
Parenting Classes
Butte 4-C’s – Serving Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell, and Silver Bow Counties. www.butte4cs.org (Subscribe to Quarterly Training Calendar)
Families First / Children’s Museum – www.familiesfirstmt.org/
Family Connections MT – Serving Blaine, Daniels, Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Hill, Liberty, Phillips, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley, and Wibaux Counties. http://familyconnectionsmt.
Friendship House – Serving southside neighbor in Billings. www.facebook.com/friendshipmt (Follow on FB for dates of parent classes and other events)
The Nurturing Center – Serving Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders Counties.
https://nurturingcenter.org
Parenting Place – Serving Missoula County.
https://www.signupgenius.com/
Transition to Adulthood & Employment
Accessibility/Assistive Technology
Montech – http://montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/
Autism
Montana Autism Center – http://autism.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/
Childcare
Homeschool
Flathead Homeschool Discussion and Support Group – www.facebook.com/groups/254913574614001/
A place to buy, sell, swap, or give away homeschooling books, materials, etc. that you no longer need. It is also open for any discussion on homeschool topics and activities as well. We have twice monthly in-person support group meetings.
Montana Coalition of Home Educators (MTCHE) – www.mtche.org
MTCHE Montana Guide to Home Education
OPI Home School Information Packet
Respite
Montana Lifetime Respite – https://dphhs.mt.gov/respite
Montana Family to Family Health Information Center – 406-243-4570
Staffed by parents of children and youth with special health care needs who are experienced with Montana’s health care system and can provide families with information and access to support in their communities at no cost. www.facebook.com/pg/MTFamily2Family
Montana 211 – https://montana211.org
Community resources, services and assistance
Centers for Independent Living (CIL) in Montana provide information and referral related to equipment, financial assistance, recreation, housing, attendant care, support groups, legal rights and many other disability and community topics and resources.
Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT)
800-669-6319 toll free, 406-245-1225 TTY
Offices: Billings, Glendive
Serves Treasure, Garfield, McCone, Rosebud, Big Horn, Prairie, Custer, Powder River, Richland, Dawson, Wibaux, Fallon, Golden Valley, Stillwater, Carbon, Musselshell, Yellowstone, and Carter counties.
Montana Independent Living Project (MILP)
800-735-6457 toll free, 406-442-5755 TTY
Offices: Helena, Bozeman, Butte
Serves Lewis and Clark, Powell, Granite, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, Meagher, Broadwater and Jefferson counties
North Central Independent Living Services (NCILS)
800-823-6245 toll-free, 406-452-9834 TTY
Offices: Black Eagle, Glasgow
Serves Glacier, Toole, Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Phillips, Petroleum, Fergus, Judith Basin, Cascade, Chouteau, Teton, Pondera, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan and Roosevelt counties and Blackfeet, Fort Peck, Rocky Boy and Fort Belknap reservations.
Summit Independent Living Center (Summit)
800-398-9002 toll-free, 406-728-1630 TTY
Offices: Missoula, Hamilton, Kalispell, Ronan
Serves Missoula, Ravalli, Mineral, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln counties.
Community Action Agencies – Assist low-income children, women and men learn, work and live through program that address Childcare, Education, Emergency Services, Employment & Training, Energy Assistance, Food,Homeless Services, Housing, Tax Assistance, Transportation, and Youth Employment and Training.
Action for Eastern Montana – Serving Sheridan, Daniels, Valley, Phillips, Roosevelt, Richland, McCone, Dawson, Prairie, Wibaux, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, Carter, Rosebud, Treasure and Garfield counties, including two Indian Reservations.Glendive (406) 377-3564, (800) 227-0703
Action Inc – Serving Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell and Silver Bow counties.
Butte (406) 533.6855, (800) 382-1325
Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana – Serving Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders counties.
Kalispell (406)752-6565, (800) 344-5979
Libby (406) 293-2712
Thompson Falls (406) 827-3472
www.capnm.net
Opportunities, Inc – Serving Cascade, Toole, Pondera and Glacier counties.
Great Falls (406) 761-0310
https://www.facebook.com/Opportunities-Inc-210638455663126/
Rocky Mountain Development Council – Serving Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Meagher, and Park counties.
Helena (406) 447-1680
https://www.rmdc.net/
Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) Community Action Agencies
District 4: Serving Hill, Blaine, and Liberty counties and Ft. Belknap and Rocky Boy Reservations.
Havre (406) 265-6743, (800)-640-6743
District 6: Serving Fergus, Judith Basin, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley, and Musselshell counties.
Lewistown (406) 535-7488, (800) 766-3018
https://www.hrdc6.org/
District 7: Serving Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and Yellowstone counties.
Billings (406) 247-4732, (800) 433-1411
Hardin (406) 665-3500, (406) 665-1395
District 9: Serving Gallatin, Park, and Meagher counties
Bozeman (406) 587-4486
Livingston (406) 333-2537
District 11: Serving Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli counties.
Hamilton (406) 363-6101
Missoula (406) 728-3710
Superior (406) 822-4251
http://www.humanresourcecouncil.org/
EMPLOYMENT / HOUSING
Centers for Independent Living (CIL) in Montana provide information and referral related to pre-employment transition services, equipment, financial assistance, recreation, housing, attendant care, support groups, legal rights and many other disability and community topics and resources.
Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT)
800-669-6319 toll free, 406-245-1225 TTYOffices: Billings, Glendive
Serves Treasure, Garfield, McCone, Rosebud, Big Horn, Prairie, Custer, Powder River, Richland, Dawson, Wibaux, Fallon, Golden Valley, Stillwater, Carbon, Musselshell, Yellowstone, and Carter counties.
Montana Independent Living Project (MILP)
800-735-6457 toll free, 406-442-5755 TTY
Offices: Helena, Bozeman, Butte
Serves Lewis and Clark, Powell, Granite, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, Meagher, Broadwater and Jefferson counties
http://www.milp.us/
North Central Independent Living Services (NCILS)
800-823-6245 toll-free, 406-452-9834 TTY
Offices: Black Eagle, Glasgow
Serves Glacier, Toole, Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Phillips, Petroleum, Fergus, Judith Basin, Cascade, Chouteau, Teton, Pondera, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan and Roosevelt counties and Blackfeet, Fort Peck, Rocky Boy and Fort Belknap reservations.
Summit Independent Living Center (Summit)
800-398-9002 toll-free, 406-728-1630 TTY
Offices: Missoula, Hamilton, Kalispell, Ronan
Serves Missoula, Ravalli, Mineral, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln counties.
http://www.summitilc.org/
Community Action Agencies – Assist low-income children, women and men learn, work and live through program that address Childcare, Education, Emergency Services, Employment & Training, Energy Assistance, Food,Homeless Services, Housing, Tax Assistance, Transportation, and Youth Employment and Training.
Action for Eastern Montana – Serving Sheridan, Daniels, Valley, Phillips, Roosevelt, Richland, McCone, Dawson, Prairie, Wibaux, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, Carter, Rosebud, Treasure and Garfield counties, including two Indian Reservations.Glendive (406) 377-3564, (800) 227-0703
Action Inc – Serving Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell and Silver Bow counties.
Butte (406) 533.6855, (800) 382-1325
Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana – Serving Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders counties.
Kalispell (406)752-6565, (800) 344-5979
Libby (406) 293-2712
Thompson Falls (406) 827-3472
www.capnm.net
Opportunities, Inc – Serving Cascade, Toole, Pondera and Glacier counties.
Great Falls (406) 761-0310
https://www.facebook.com/Opportunities-Inc-210638455663126/
Rocky Mountain Development Council – Serving Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Meagher, and Park counties.
Helena (406) 447-1680
https://www.rmdc.net/
Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) Community Action Agencies
District 4: Serving Hill, Blaine, and Liberty counties and Ft. Belknap and Rocky Boy Reservations.
Havre (406) 265-6743, (800)-640-6743
District 6: Serving Fergus, Judith Basin, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley, and Musselshell counties.
Lewistown (406) 535-7488, (800) 766-3018
https://www.hrdc6.org/
District 7: Serving Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and Yellowstone counties.
Billings (406) 247-4732, (800) 433-1411
Hardin (406) 665-3500, (406) 665-1395
District 9: Serving Gallatin, Park, and Meagher counties
Bozeman (406) 587-4486
Livingston (406) 333-2537
District 11: Serving Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli counties.
Hamilton (406) 363-6101
Missoula (406) 728-3710
Superior (406) 822-4251
http://www.humanresourcecouncil.org/
UM Rural Institute Transition & Employment Projects – http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/transition/
GUARDIANSHIP / SUPPORTED DECISION MAKING
Guardianship / Conservatorship Brief (MT DPHHS)
https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/sltc/documents/legaldeveloper/5GuardianConservatorships.pdf
Montana Guardianship Legal Assistance Program (MT-GLAP) – https://courts.mt.gov/cao/ct_services/probono/resourcearticles/mt-glap
A guardianship is is a court-ordered protective arrangement for a person (called the ward or “protected person”) who has been found by the Court to be incapacitated and in need of someone to oversee his or her personal care and decision-making to protect the ward’s health and safety. A guardianship may be used only as is necessary to promote and protect the well-being of the incapacitated person.
The Montana Guardianship Legal Assistance Program (MT-GLAP), in partnership with dedicated volunteer attorneys, Montana Legal Services Association, the State Bar of Montana, and the Montana Supreme Court Pro Bono Program, is a statewide program designed to help meet the guardianship and conservatorship needs of low and moderate income Montanans, and those seeking assistance for special needs children.
For information on program eligibility contact: Angie Wagenals, Pro Bono Coordinator, Montana Legal Services Association at 406-442-9830, Ext. 148 or [email protected]
Montana Parent’s Handbook on Transition (PLUK Legacy Resource) – http://pluk.org/Pubs/PLUK_Transition_Adult_04_2008.pdf
UM Rural Institute Alternatives to Guardianship Toolkit – http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/transition/atg.asp
YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS
Montana Youth (MY) Transitions – http://montanayouthtransitions.org/
Directory of Services for Persons with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities
First Steps: A Parent Information Handbook
Guide to Infant and Toddler Programs and Preschool Special Education. PLUK Legacy Resource (2007)
Guide to Success: Navigating Montana’s Developmental Disabilities Program
A guide to understanding the developmental disabilities services system
Montana ADRC Resource Directory
A guide for aging and disability related resources
Montana 211
Community resources, services and assistance
NAMI Montana Mental Illness County Resource Guides
For people who live with mental illness and their families