link to Rural Assistance Center Homepage skip navigation
Funding Information
Guides
News &
Events
Experts &
Organizations
Publications
& Maps
Success
Stories
State
Resources

Montana

On this page
  State Contacts
Organizations
Tools
Maps
Funding
Documents
Journals
Success Stories
News
Events
 

Montana is nicknamed “Big Sky Country” because of its vast plains that stretch across the eastern part of the state. However the name Montana is derived from the Latin word "montaanus" meaning mountainous as in the rugged Rocky Mountains of western Montana. It is home to buffalo in the National Bison Range on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Glacier National Park is located in western Montana and parts of Yellowstone National Park are located in the southwest. Montana covers 145,552 square miles, with a 2008 estimated population of 967,440 people – 626,089 living in rural Montana (USDA-ERS). Helena, the capital, is located in the western region of the state. The state’s largest cities are Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 90.6% of the state’s population is white, 6.3% is American Indian & Alaska Native, and 2.8% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2007).

There are 63 hospitals in Montana, 55 of which are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Dec. 2008). The state has 47 hospitals currently identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical Access Hospitals (April, 2009). There are 45 Rural Health Clinics in Montana (CMS, 2009), and 14 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 81 sites in the state (Kaiser, 2008). Most Montanans have some form of health insurance coverage, although 16.4% of its residents lack any health insurance (Kaiser, 2006-2007.)

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for all Montanans in 2007 was $33,225, although rural per-capita income lagged at $31,861. 2008 estimates indicate a poverty rate of 14.5% exists in rural Montana, compared to a 13.4% level in urban areas of the state. 2000 data reports 13.7% of the rural population has not completed high school, while only 11.2% of the urban population lacks a high school diploma. The unemployment rate in rural Montana is at 4.8%, while in urban Montana it is at 3.9% (USDA-ERS, 2008).

For a national comparison, please see an overview of the United States.

Data Sources:

U.S. Census Bureau: State & County QuickFacts

USDA Economic Research Service: State Fact Sheets

North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center

Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts

Flex Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List

State Contacts

Directory of Rural Health Contacts: Montana
Contact information for people and organizations in Montana with an interest in rural health.

Organizations

Caring Foundation of Montana, Inc.
State/regional organization
A nonprofit organization for the sole purpose of providing medical services to uninsured children in Montana.

Center for Children with Special Needs (CSHCN)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Focuses on improving care for children with special needs by providing information to families and health care professionals throughout the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).

Center for Native Health Partnerships (CNHP)
Tribal organization
Mission is to reduce health disparities of Native Americans in Montana through community-based health projects that are conducted in partnership between community members and health researchers.

Eastern Montana Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
State/regional organization
Connects health professions education to rural and underserved communities in eastern Montana. Located in Billings and serves 27 counties.

Eastern Montana Telemedicine Network (EMTN)
State/regional organization
A consortium of not-for-profit medical and mental health facilities linking health care providers and their patients throughout Montana and Wyoming.

Eat Right Montana
State/regional organization
A diverse group of individuals and organizations who have come together with the common goal of providing consistent, science-based nutrition and physical activity messages to all Montanans.

HealthShare Montana
State/regional organization
A non-profit organization of health information exchange stakeholders with the goal to plan a statewide health information exchange.

Horizons: Community Leadership to Reduce Poverty
State/regional organization
A community leadership program aimed at reducing poverty in rural and Native American reservation communities faced with economic decline and demographic change.

HUD Community Development Block Grants: Montana
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.

Human Resource Development Council (HRDC)
State/regional organization
Serves communities and people's needs by developing resources that provide opportunities and essential services such as health and nutrition, emergency services, affordable housing, Head Start, youth development, volunteer opportunities, transportation, energy assistance and conservation and community development.

Improving Health Among Rural Montanans (IPHARM)
Academic/Research
Provides screening services to detect health problems earlier before complications develop and to improve access to health care services for those in rural, underserved or otherwise disadvantaged areas across the state.

Institute of Translational Health Science (ITHS)
Academic/Research
Supports translational research--research that improves human health by leading to discoveries that will eliminate human disease.

Midwest Assistance Program (MAP)
State/regional organization
Aims to help rural communities in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming to improve their environment, quality of life and be self-sustaining.

Monida Healthcare Network
State/regional organization
A regional association of more than 450 physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers serving residents of Montana and Idaho.

Montana Addictive and Mental Disorders Division
State government
Works to implement and improve an appropriate statewide system of prevention, treatment, care, and rehabilitation for Montanans with mental disorders or addictions to drugs or alcohol.

Montana Area Health Education Centers
State/regional organization
A statewide system of regional Area Health Education Centers.

Montana Cancer Control Coalition (MTCCC)
State/regional organization
A partnership of public and private sector stakeholders in Montana whose common mission is to reduce the overall burden of cancer.

Montana Coalition of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies
State/regional organization
A statewide coalition of concerned citizens, community organizations, health educators, health professionals and public policy makers working to improve the health of mothers and children in Montana.

Montana Department of Commerce (DOC)
State government
Committed to the state's vision for economic prosperity and to serving the many citizens, communities, businesses, and organizations. Acts as an information broker for businesses and communities in the economic and community development areas.

Montana Department of Labor and Industry
State government
Promotes the well-being of Montana's workers, employers, and citizens, and upholds their rights and responsibilities.

Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services: Senior & Long Term Care
State government
Advocates and promotes dignity and independence for older Montanans and Montanans with disabilities by: providing information, education, and assistance; planning, developing and providing for quality long-term care services; and operating within a cost - effective service delivery system.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)
State government
The goals of the department ensure that all Montana children are healthy, safe and in permanent, loving homes, all Montanans have the tools and support to be as self-sufficient as possible, all Montanans are injury free, healthy and have access to quality health care, and all Montanans can contribute to the above through community service.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED)
State government
Works to achieve financial and medical support of children by establishing, enforcing, and increasing public awareness of parental obligations.

Montana Dietetic Association
State/regional organization
A non-profit professional organization that represents registered dietitians in the state of Montana, providing nutrition services in a wide variety of settings.

Montana Disability and Health Program
State/regional organization
Mission is to assess, monitor, improve and maintain the health of Montanans with disabilities through a strategic program that reduces secondary conditions by enhancing individuals' capacity to manage their own health and by developing supportive community environments.

Montana Division of Special Education
State government
Responsible for assuring that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Division staff provides training, technical assistance and monitor special education services provided by public schools and state-operated programs. The Division is also responsible for managing the flow of state and federal dollars for special education programs.

Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN)
State/regional organization
Montana's statewide hunger organization, working to eliminate hunger in Montana through food acquisition and distribution, education and advocacy.

Montana Health Care Workforce Advisory Committee (MHWAC)
State/regional organization
Provides guidance to the Montana Board Regents and other stakeholders on the best strategies and priorities for addressing Montana’s healthcare workforce needs.

Montana Health Network (MHN)
State/regional organization
A collaborative effort of health care providers formed to promote, preserve, and develop an effective system of providing quality health care for the residents of Montana.

Montana Health Research and Education Foundation (MHREF)
Academic/Research
An organization to provide education and research for today's changing health care market.

Montana Hope Project
Nonprofit/Foundation
The goal of the Hope Project is to make dreams come true for critically ill children in Montana.

Montana Hospital Association (MHA)
State/regional organization
The principal advocate for the interests of members in their efforts to improve the health status of the communities they serve. Members of the association provide the full spectrum of health care services, including hospital inpatient and outpatient, long-term care, home health, hospice, physician, assisted living, senior housing and insurance services.

Montana Mental Health Association
State/regional organization
A nonprofit organization whose primary focus is educating and advocating for the mental health of all Montanans. They provide resource referrals, professional education, and informational materials for mental health providers, consumers, family members and the general public.

Montana Nutrition and Physical Activity Program (NAPA) ( MT NAPA)
State/regional organization
The mission of Montana NAPA is to decrease the prevalence of obesity and improve the health of Montanans through policy and environmental changes and statewide/community interventions.

Montana Office of Public Instruction
State government
Provides the vision, advocacy, support and leadership for schools and communities to ensure that all students meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Montana Office of Rural Health
State/regional organization
Works to improve the quality of life for all rural Montanans through advocacy, networking, partnerships, education, outreach, research, and service.

Montana Primary Care Association
State/regional organization
A non-profit organization of ambulatory health care providers whose primary purpose is to serve Montana's medically unserved and underserved residents without financial or other discrimination.

Montana Primary Care Office
State/regional organization
Part of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Works collaboratively with several entities to increase access to primary and preventative health care and to improve the health status of underserved and vulnerable populations.

Montana Public Health Association (MPHA)
State government
The purpose of the Montana Public Health Association is to promote, improve and strengthen public health programs; to encourage active participation by health professionals and interested citizens; and to provide in service opportunities for exchange of scientific information related to public health programs in Montana.

Montana State University - Extension
Academic/Research
A statewide educational outreach network that applies unbiased, research-based university resources to practical needs identified by the people of Montana in their home communities.

Montana Worksite Health Promotion Coalition
State government
A resource for Montana employers regarding the art and science of health promotion and wellness at work.

Montana WWAMI Regional Medical School Program
Academic/Research
One of the state programs of the WWAMI cooperative that includes the University of Washington School of Medicine and the states of Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. This program decentralizes the educational process and shares existing facilities and personnel in universities and communities in the WWAMI states.

Montana's Rural Health Initiative (RHI)
State/regional organization
A collaborative effort, sharing ideas and expertise to support communities in improving health.

Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council
State/regional organization
An organization that supports health and human service concerns related to American Indians in Montana and Wyoming.

Mountain Pacific Quality Health Foundation
State/regional organization
A Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) working to improve the health of people Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Hawaii, the territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and American Samoa.

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI): Montana (NAMI)
State/regional organization
Supports, educates, and advocates for Montanans with severe mental illnesses and their families.

National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Northwest Region (NN/LM-PNR)
State/regional organization
Supports collaboration among regional libraries and information centers in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

North Central Montana Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
State/regional organization
Connects health professions education to rural and underserved communities. Located in Great Falls and includes 11 counties.

Proyecto/Project IDEAS
State/regional organization
Strives to improve HIV prevention services for Latino/Hispanic populations living in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. Focuses on adapting and tailoring CDC-approved interventions that are culturally, linguistically and educationally appropriate. This is a capacity building assistance program for community-based organizations and state and local health departments.

REACH (Realizing Education And Community Health) Montana (REACH)
State/regional organization
A consortium of healthcare providers linked to each other through live, interactive, video technology. From its hub site in Great Falls, the REACH Montana Tele-health Network currently serves rural counties in the north central region of the state.

Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Helps rural communities in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming to improve community infrastructure.

South Central Montana Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
State/regional organization
Connects health professions education to rural and underserved communities in south central Montana. Located in Dillon and serves 11 counties.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Montana
Federal government
Works to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing. The HUD state office provides information about HUD housing programs and local contacts for the state.

University of Montana Rural Institute
State/regional organization
Advocates and supports full participation in community life by rural persons with disabilities for the state of Montana.

USDA Rural Development Montana State Office
Federal government
Committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The Rural Development State Office provides information about Rural Development programs and applications for financial assistance.

Western Montana Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
State/regional organization
Connects health professions education to rural and underserved communities. Located in Missoula and serves seven counties.

WWAMI Rural Health Research Center (WWAMI RHRC)
Academic/Research
One of nine Rural Health Research Centers currently funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy. Focuses on training and supply of rural health care providers, availability and quality of care for rural women and children, and access to high-quality care for vulnerable and minority rural populations. Based in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Tools

ERS State Fact Sheet: Montana
Web site
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service

MedlinePlus Go Local
Web site
Offers information about health services in local geographic areas, including hospitals, physicians, nursing homes, support groups, health screening providers and many others.
Sponsoring organization: National Library of Medicine

Montana QuickFacts
Web site
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau

Montana Bridge to Benefits
Web site
Bridge to Benefits is a multi-state project sponsored by the Children’s Defense Fund in partnership with Rural Dynamics Incorporated. This project is focused on improving the well-being of families and individuals by linking them to public work support programs and tax credits.
Sponsoring organization: Children's Defense Fund

Montana Health Centers Data
Web site
Provides access to information on Federally Qualified Health Centers for the state. Includes a map of FQHC locations, as well as information on the populations served by health centers, services provided, staff, patient visits, costs of care, and use of electronic health information.

Montana Health Workforce: Highlights from the Health Workforce Profile
Web site
Highlights compile 2000 data on levels of employment, projected growth and key environmental factors that affect demand for health care. Details for medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, mental health and aides.
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Workforce Analysis

Montana KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Web site
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Sponsoring organization: Annie E. Casey Foundation

Montana State Health Facts
Database
The latest state-level data on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing, and state legislation. Individual state profiles and 50-state comparisons.
Sponsoring organization: Kaiser Family Foundation

National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Montana
Web site
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

State Profiles- Montana: Health Information Technology (HIT)
Web site
Profiles the state’s health information technology (HIT) issues. Contains sections on demographics, HIT legislation, telemedicine, Health Information Exchanges (HIE) & Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIO), grant funded HIT projects, and HIT survey information.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Resource Center

WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies Regional Information Center
Web site
Provides access to health workforce information for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho. Content is available by state and by profession.
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies

See also: Resources for All States: Tools

Maps & Map Collections

Montana AHEC & Office of Rural Health Maps
Geographic coverage: Montana
Downloadable maps from the Montana State AHEC and Office of Rural Health.
Sponsoring organization: Montana Office of Rural Health

Montana Rural Definition Maps
Geographic coverage: Montana
Set of maps showing the geographic coverage provided by 9 different rural definitions for the state.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service

See also: Resources for All States: Maps

Funding

High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety Feasibility Projects
Grants to encourage new and innovative projects in prevention/intervention, education and outreach, and research in areas outlined in the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA).

Midwest Assistance Program Loan Fund
Helps small communities and tribal nations jumpstart infrastructure, housing, technology, aging and economic development projects through low-cost, short-term loans.

Montana Hope Project
Awards given to Montana's critically and chronically ill children and their families for special dream come true event.

Inactive Funding

Inactive Funding Opportunities - Lists additional funding programs for this state that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.

Documents, Reports and Other Publications

Demographic and Economic Profile: Montana
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Presents demographics, economics, and research on Montana. Includes statistics, data, maps, charts, and graphs.
Date: 10 / 2008

Distance and Modes of Transportation to Personal Physician/Health Care Provider
Sponsoring organization: Montana Disability and Health Program
Summarizes findings from a survey that addresses the distance that patients in Montana must travel to recieve care from a health care provider. Data generated from the 2005 Montana Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Results.
Date: 11 / 2008

Education: A Regional Overview
Author(s): By Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Explores education characteristics in the western states and examines how it impacts rural development.
Date: 2008

Employment, Income and Poverty: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines and compares employment and income in western states with both rural and urban data.
Date: 2008

Health and Longevity: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines health and longevity for states in the western region.
Date: 2008

How Farmers and Ranchers Get Health Insurance and What They Spend for Health Care
Author(s): Carol Pryor, Jeffrey Prottas, Bill Lottero, Mark Rukavina, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Examines health insurance costs and health care spending of farmers and ranchers. This issue brief is based on a 2007 survey of farm and ranch operators in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 12 / 2007

HRSA State Health Workforce Profiles: Montana
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
Presents a variety of data related to the health workforce in the state. Provides a brief overview of the health status of residents and health services in the state which impact the supply and demand for health workers. Includes data on the number of health care workers employed by place of work and the number of workers employed in specific health professions and occupations.
Date: 2003

Land Use and Resources: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines land use and resources in the western states.
Date: 2008

Montana's Primary Care Workforce
Author(s): Saul M. J. Rivard
Sponsoring organization: Montana Office of Rural Health
An assessment of the current primary care workforce in Montana examining three primary workforce fields: (1) primary care physicians (2) physician assistants (PAs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and nurse practitioners (NPs), and (3) dentists and dental hygienists. All three areas are investigated at the county, state, and national level.
Date: 08 / 2009

Small Business Profile: Montana
Sponsoring organization: Small Business Administration
Profile of the state's economy, covering the number of firms, industry composition, small business income, banking, women and minority business ownership, and employment.
Date: 2008

State of Montana: Population Brief
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Baseline information for the advancement of rural development that examines population changes and characteristics within Montana.
Date: 2008

State Profiles - Montana: Reforming the Health Care System
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
Detailed profile of the state's health care system. Covers demographics, expenditures and financing, health status, utilization and quality of services, health care providers, Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance coverage, and key trends.
Date: 12 / 2005

The Changing West: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Provides baseline data for identifying population changes in the western states for use in advancing rural development.
Date: 2008

See also: Resources for All States: Documents

Journals

Prevention Connection Newsletter
A quarterly publication that focuses on a different theme with each issue and is a resource for data and reference regarding the health and well-being of Montana citizens.
Sponsoring organization: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Success Stories

Guide for Preparing Medical Directors Project
The goal of the project is to develop the Guide for Preparing Medical Directors into an electronically delivered, mentor-supported, self-study program to train medical oversight physicians in rural, frontier, and wilderness locations.

Rural Chronically Ill Women: Online Support Network
The Women to Women Project (WTW) aims to help isolated rural women with chronic illnesses adapt more successfully to living with their conditions in the face of limited access to health information and services.

Angel Flight West: A Higher Level of Kindness
Angel Flight West provides free, private air transportation for people with medical and other needs.

RSS What's New (RSS)
About RSS Feeds

Add Add to Favorites
Email Email This Page
Delicious Delicious
Digg
Share on Facebook
google Share with Google

Page last updated 2/24/2010
State last reviewed 12/08/2008

Events
Sep 13 - 14, 2010
Montana Economic Development Summit
Montana Tech
Butte, MT
Contact:
  1.800.332.6106


About this Page
Credits
Maintained by:
Kathy Spencer
kathy@raconline.org

Suggest a resource for this page