Investment To Expand Family Peer Support Services Announced
Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced a $700,000 investment to expand peer support services in Montana, specifically for families and caregivers of youth with serious emotional disturbance.
“This investment addresses specific needs for Montana families who are raising a child with behavioral health challenges,” Gianforte said. “Families have expressed the importance of family peer support, and how it can make a difference in their lives.”
As recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission, the investment represents the next allocation of $300 million in funding secured by the governor to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems.
The award recipients are AWARE, Inc., Mental Health American of Montana, Montana Rescue Mission, and St. John’s United. These organizations were awarded based on their experience providing family peer support.
The funding adds six family peer supporters across these four providers. DPHHS estimates each full-time peer supporter will be responsible for managing a caseload of about 20-30 families. Department of Public Health and Human Services director Charlie Brereton said the commission heard from numerous families over the past year about the importance of this initiative.
A recent study conducted by Montana’s Peer Network showed that 94 percent of Montanans who received family peer support services reported an improved quality of life and 87 percent reported an increase in the quality of the care provided to a child.
Family peer support services are provided by those who have lived experience raising a child with behavioral health challenges or special health care needs and are equipped to provide emotional support and resources to another family who is raising a child with similar needs.
These individuals provide active listening, emotional support, help with navigating the health care system, and connecting families and caregivers with more resources.
The awardees are required to conduct pre- and post-surveys with each family to measure the impact of the program.
