Partnerships

The Montana Disability and Health (MTDH) Program, established in 2002, is a partnership of the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Bureau of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (MDPHHS) and The University of Montana Rural Institute (UMRI).  Also, see the Montana Disability & Health Community Planning Group.

Four divisions of MDPHHS are represented on the MTDH Disability and Health Community Planning Group as well as the Core Management Team: 1) the Public Health and Safety Division, 2) the Developmental Services Division, 3) the Senior and Long-Term Care Division, and 4) the Disability Transitions Program Division.

The Rural Institute: Center for Excellence in Disability Education, Research, and Service (established in 1979)  is part of the national network of programs funded by the Federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) committed to increasing and supporting the independence, productivity, and inclusion of people with disabilities into the community.

These primary partnerships facilitate the collection of data, dissemination of information, training of professionals, and other activities  designed to prevent secondary conditions, promote health, and reduce health disparities existing between Montanans with and without disabilities.