OPI, DPHHS Announce Partnership to Expand School-Based Health Care Across Montana
Author: OPI and DPHHS
Article Published: // Volume: Edition: The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) have announced an intergovernmental agreement to expand school-based health care across Montana through the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The partnership will build upon existing school-based care efforts, improve access to health services for students and families, and strengthen connections between schools and local health care providers.
School-based care brings primary, behavioral, and dental health services directly into school communities through partnerships with local health care providers, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, tribal health departments, and other providers. Approximately 90 school-based care sites are already operating across Montana, helping reduce barriers to care such as transportation, cost, and scheduling.
“Schools are the heart of our communities, and when students have access to the support they need, they are better positioned to succeed in the classroom,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen. “OPI is uniquely positioned to help expand school-based care because of our direct relationships with Montana’s schools and our focus on student success. By working alongside DPHHS, local districts and health care providers, we can strengthen access to services that support student well-being, attendance and academic achievement while allowing communities to determine what works best for them.”
Under the agreement, OPI will administer funding to support the expansion of school-based care, including grants for startup costs at existing sites and the development of new sites in rural counties and tribal communities. Potential investments could support facility improvements, medical equipment, and other costs necessary to establish or expand services.
DPHHS has included $4.96 million for school-based care in its Year 1 budget narrative for RHTP, with $28 million proposed over five years.
"Expanding access to care in our rural and frontier communities requires meeting families where they are, and schools are natural hubs for community well-being,” said incoming DPHHS Director Douglas S. Harrington, MD. “Through this partnership and the Rural Health Transformation Program, we are delivering targeted investments to strengthen local health care infrastructure, reduce administrative barriers for school districts, and ensure Montana students have timely access to essential health services.”
The partnership aligns with OPI’s existing work in Coordinated School Health, student wellness, Community Schools, and integrated student support. School-based care can complement existing school support systems by connecting students and families with appropriate clinical services when additional care is needed.
The initiative also presents an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between student health and educational outcomes, including attendance, classroom engagement, school climate, and graduation readiness. While schools will partner with health care providers to make services available, providers will bill Medicaid and private insurance for eligible services. Schools would not be required to enroll as health care providers or bill for services.
The agreement will establish a framework for OPI and DPHHS to work with schools, health care providers, tribal communities, and other partners to expand access to services based on local needs. The effort also builds upon existing school-based care infrastructure and support long-term program sustainability through established health care reimbursement mechanisms.
The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $233,509,358.76 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
