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.
Disability Organizations
Family Outreach
-Bozeman Office:
1315 East Main
Bozeman, MT 59715
Ph: 406-587-2477
Fax: 406-587-9526
Counties Served: Park, Gallatin, Madison, Meagher
-Butte Office:
641 Sampson St.
Butte, MT 59701
Ph: 406-494-1242
Fax: 406-494-1979
Counties Served: Silver Bow, Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Powell
-Helena Office:
Child and Family Services:
1212 Helena Ave
Helena, MT 59601
Ph: 406-443-7370
Fax: 406-449-6062
Adult Services:
1236 Helena Ave
Helena, MT 59601
Ph: 406-442-1571
Fax: 406-443-3209
Administrative Office:
1236 Helena Ave
Helena, MT 59601
Ph: 406-443-3083
Fax: 406-443-3209
Counties Served: Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, Broadwater, Powell
Autism
Montana Autism Center
http://autism.ruralinstitute.umt.edu
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/
Disability Rights Montana
www.disabilityrightsmt.org
Orchid Club Montana
http://orchidclubmt.org/
Special Needs Billings Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1632400210158107
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
Down Syndrome
Montana Down Syndrome Association
https://mtdsa.org/
Down Syndrome Research Education Advocacy in Montana (DREAM)
http://www.dream-mt.org/
Hearing
Montana School for the Deaf and Blind
http://msdb.mt.gov
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 Falls Club of the Deaf (GFCD)
www.montanadeaf.org/great-fall-club-of-the-deaf
Missoula Club of the Deaf (MCD)
www.montanadeaf.org/missoula-club-of-the-deaf
Gallatin Association of the Deaf (GAD)
www.montanadeaf.org/gallatin-club-of-the-deaf
Mental Health
NAMI Billings
https://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/
Financial/Legal
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
https://courts.mt.gov/forms/guardianship
Montana Parent’s Handbook on Transition
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 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
406-442-9830, Ext. 148
awagenha@mtlsa.org
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)
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_child_eng.htm
Compassionate Allowances Program
http://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
Montana Families Trusts are now managed by
Rural Dynamics, Inc.
410 Central Avenue, Suite 401 & 402
PO Box 2326
Great Falls, MT 59403
406-454-5709 or 1-877-275-2227
tomj@ruraldynamics.org
Montana Self-Sufficiency Trusts Handbook
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/
Training - Calendars
Disabilities & Special Health Care Needs
Montana Council for Exceptional Children
www.montanacec.org
Mental Health
NAMI Montana
www.namimt.org/
Parenting Classes
Butte 4-C’s
Subscribe to Quarterly Training Calendar
www.butte4cs.org
Serving Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell, and Silver Bow Counties.
Families First / Children’s Museum
www.familiesfirstmt.org/
Serving Missoula and Flathead Valley
Family Connections MT
Classes designed for childcare providers but any one welcome to attend.
http://familyconnectionsmt.
Serving Blaine, Daniels, Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Hill, Liberty, Phillips, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley, and Wibaux Counties.
Family Tree
https://familytreecenterbillings.org/calendar/
Serving Yellowstone County
Friendship House
Follow on FB for dates of parent classes and other events.
www.facebook.com/friendshipmt
Serving southside neighbor in Billings.
The Nurturing Center
https://nurturingcenter.org
Serving Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders Counties.
Parenting Place
https://www.parentingplace.net/
Serving Missoula County.
Thrive
www.allthrive.org/events
Serving Gallatin Valley communities.
Transition to Adulthood & Employment
Living Independently For Today & Tomorrow
www.liftt.org/about/upcoming-events/
Serving Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux and Yellowstone counties.
Montana Independent Living Project
www.milp.us/events.html
Serving Lewis and Clark, Powell, Granite, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, Meagher, Broadwater and Jefferson counties.
Montana Youth Leadership Forum
http://montanaylf.org/mylf-schedule-2/
Montana Youth Transitions
http://montanayouthtransitions.org/
Rural Institute Transition & Employment Projects
http://ruralinstitute.umt.
Summit Independent Living Centers
www.summitilc.org/calendar/
Serving Missoula, Ravalli, Mineral, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln Counties.
Please contact us with recommended additions, deletions or changes.
A-Z Index
Accessibility/Assistive Technology
Montech
http://montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/
Autism
Montana Autism Center
http://autism.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/
Autism Speaks
https://autismspeaks.org
Aware
AWARE is a statewide nonprofit organization that offers quality, community-based support for people with mental health and/or developmental disabilities and families with children ages 0 to 8. We serve all 56 counties in Montana.
Anaconda
Shared Resources Center
Lawrence P Noonan Center for Excellence
406.563.8117
205 E Park, Anaconda, MT 59711
406.563.7059
200 Polk St., Anaconda, MT 59711
Billings
Main Office
Center for Early Childhood
406.656.0928
1050 S. 25th St. W. Ste. 2, Billings, MT 59102
406.652.3469
3242 Hesper Rd., Billings, MT 59102
Belgrade
Center for Early Childhood
406.694.8052
93 Quaw Blvd., Belgrade, MT 59714
Butte
Main Office – Work/Day Services
406.563.8117
944 S. Wyoming, Butte, MT 59701
Center for Early Childhood
406.782.0455
237 E. Mercury, Butte, MT 59701
Great Falls
Main Office
406.563.8117
600 6th St. NW Ste. 9, Great Falls, MT 59404
Helena
Main Office
406.449.3120
616 Helena Ave. Ste. 305, Helena, MT 59601
Center for Early Childhood
406.422.1815
330 Lola, Helena, MT 59601
Missoula
Main Office
406.563.8117
2300 Regent St. Ste. 103, Missoula, MT 59801
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
Independent Living
Centers for Independent Living (CIL) in Montana may have education advocates that can support and assist families and children/youth with IEP/504 issues. Contact the CIL serving your area to learn about supports available, often without cost.
https://dphhs.mt.gov/detd/independentliving/centers
Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT)
800-669-6319 toll free, ,406-259-5181 voice, 406-245-1225 TTY
Website: www.liftt.org
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/voice
Website: www.milp.us
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/Voice
http://ncils.org
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/voice
www.summitilc.org
Offices: Missoula, Hamilton, Kalispell, Ronan
Serves Missoula, Ravalli, Mineral, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln counties.
Respite
Montana Lifetime Respite
https://dphhs.mt.gov/respite
Information, Referral & Resource Centers
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.
http://MTF2F.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pg/MTFamily2Family
Montana 211
Montana 2-1-1 connects you with the community resources, services, and assistance for a wide variety of needs.
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
https://www.liftt.org/
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
http://ww.milp.us/events.html
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
http://ncils.org
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
http://www.summitilc.org
Offices: Missoula, Hamilton, Kalispell, Ronan
Serves Missoula, Ravalli, Mineral, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln counties.
Human Resources Development Council (HRDC)
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 – District 1, 2, and 3
Glendive (406) 377-3564, (800) 227-0703
https://aemt.org
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.
Action Inc – District 12
Butte (406) 533.6855, (800) 382-1325
https://butteassistanceprograms.org/
Serving Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell and Silver Bow counties.
Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana – District 10
Kalispell (406)752-6565, (800) 344-5979
Libby (406) 293-2712
Thompson Falls (406) 827-3472
http://www.capnm.net
Serving Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders counties.
HRDC – District 4
Havre (406) 265-6743, (800)-640-6743
https://hrdc4.org/
Serving Hill, Blaine, and Liberty counties and Ft. Belknap and Rocky Boy Reservations.
HRDC – District 6
Lewistown (406) 535-7488, (800) 766-3018
https://www.hrdc6.org/
Serving Fergus, Judith Basin, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley, and Musselshell counties.
HRDC – District 7
Billings (406) 247-4732, (800) 433-1411
Hardin (406) 665-3500, (406) 665-1395
http://hrdc7.org
Serving Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and Yellowstone counties.
HRDC – District 9
Bozeman (406) 587-4486
Livingston (406) 333-2537
https://thehrdc.org
Serving Gallatin, Park, and Meagher counties.
HRDC – District 11
Hamilton (406) 363-6101
Missoula (406) 728-3710
Superior (406) 822-4251
http://www.humanresourcecouncil.org/
Serving Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli counties.
Transition to Adulthood
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 TTY
Offices: Billings, Glendive
http://www.liftt.org/
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
http://www.milp.us/
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
http://ncils.org/
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.
Human Resources Development Council (HRDC)
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
Glendive (406) 377-3564, (800) 227-0703
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.
Action Inc
Butte (406) 533.6855, (800) 382-1325
https://butteassistanceprograms.org/
Serving Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell and Silver Bow counties.
Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana
Kalispell (406)752-6565, (800) 344-5979
Libby (406) 293-2712
Thompson Falls (406) 827-3472
http://www.capnm.net
Serving Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders counties.
Opportunities, Inc
Great Falls (406) 761-0310
https://www.facebook.com/Opportunities-Inc-210638455663126/
Serving Cascade, Toole, Pondera and Glacier counties.
Rocky Mountain Development Council
Helena (406) 447-1680
https://www.rmdc.net/
Serving Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Meagher, and Park counties.
District 4 HRDC: Serving Hill, Blaine, and Liberty counties and Ft. Belknap and Rocky Boy Reservations.
Havre (406) 265-6743, (800)-640-6743
https://hrdc4.org/
District 6 HRDC: Serving Fergus, Judith Basin, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley, and Musselshell counties.
Lewistown (406) 535-7488, (800) 766-3018
https://www.hrdc6.org/
District 7 HRDC: Serving Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and Yellowstone counties.
Billings (406) 247-4732, (800) 433-1411
Hardin (406) 665-3500, (406) 665-1395
http://hrdc7.org
District 9 HRDC: Serving Gallatin, Park, and Meagher counties
Bozeman (406) 587-4486
Livingston (406) 333-2537
https://thehrdc.org
District 11 HRDC: 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 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
406-442-9830, Ext. 148
awagenha@mtlsa.org
Montana Parent’s Handbook on Transition
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/
Resource Guides & Directories
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