The University of Montana’s has been awarded a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration through its Rural Communities Opioid Response Program–Pathways initiative.
The funding for UM’s Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development will support youth behavioral health programs and career pathways in rural Montana, addressing urgent needs in both youth wellness and workforce development.
Montana faces a youth behavioral health crisis where suicide rates among young people are nearly three times the national average. In 2023, one in four high school students in the state reported seriously considering suicide, and one in seven had attempted it. Meanwhile, 46 of Montana’s 56 counties are classified as frontier, and 51 are designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas, meeting only 32.9% of behavioral health needs.
“This grant represents a transformative opportunity for Montana’s youth and rural communities,” said Kate Chapin, executive director of the UM Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development. “By equipping high school students with the skills and credentials to become community health workers, we’re not only addressing a critical workforce shortage, we’re empowering young people to be part of the solution in their own communities. This initiative is about hope, healing and creating meaningful career pathways that begin in high school and lead to lifelong impact.”
While Montana has a strong foundation in work-based learning, there are no established pathways for youth to enter behavioral health careers. The RCORP–Pathways grant will help close this gap by creating a workforce pipeline in Livingston, Helena, and Kalispell. High school students will train as community health workers, earn a university-issued credential, complete internships and have the opportunity to receive dual enrollment credit through partnerships with colleges and universities.
“UM’s RCORP–Pathways initiative is a vital step toward solving Montana’s behavioral health workforce crisis, especially in rural and frontier communities,” said Matt Fete, UM College of Health dean. “By developing youth-led behavioral health training programs and building a statewide network of education and industry partners, we’re creating a sustainable pipeline of providers rooted in their communities. This investment in Montana’s future workforce will have lasting impact.”
In addition to technical training, students will develop essential life and career skills such as problem-solving, personal wellness and resilience. A statewide network of partners will support the initiative’s long-term success, including high school work-based learning coordinators, community colleges, Reach Higher Montana and industry leaders like the Montana Primary Care Association and Montana Urban Indian Health Consortium.
“The Montana work-based learning collaborative includes over 30 industry associations, nonprofits, agencies and educational institutions committed to strengthening and expanding career-connected learning across the state,” said Gabrielle Eklund Rowley, director of the work-based learning collaborative powered by Reach Higher Montana. “This project is exactly what we work toward: new pathways for youth to explore careers while they build essential skills.”
With only 12 grants awarded nationwide, Montana is among a select group of states leading the way in youth behavioral health workforce development. By training and empowering youth to become community health workers, this initiative will strengthen behavioral health services across rural Montana while preparing students for further education and careers in specialized behavioral health fields.