Montana Bridge to Benefits: This screening tool can help people in Montana learn if they may be able to get help from: Medicaid; Children's Health Insurance Plan; Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships; Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP, Weatherization); School Lunch Program; Food Support (Food Stamps); Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). If it looks like you or your family will qualify, it will tell you how to apply for these programs.
SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery): Montana has 4 SOAR trainers! Michelle Thibodeau, Chief of the Disabilities Determiniation Services Bureau, Marcia Armstrong and Marlene Disburg of the Addictive and Mental Disorders Division and Sherri Downing, Coordinator of the Montana Council on Homelessness. For more information, visit SOAR or contact Sherri@MTCoH.org. Innovations in Housing: The Montana Board of Housing at the Department of Commerce teamed up with the Job Corps and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America to provide Job Corps students the opportunity to learn skilled trades. Low- and moderate-income families benefit by gaining the opportunity to become homeowners. It's a win-win situation. The Montana House makes the dream of homeownership available to all Montanans. The Montana House™ homes sell for approximately $35,000. Additionally, the new homeowner purchases the appliances, floor coverings, utilities, foundation, land and covers the moving expenses.
One-Stop Events for the Homeless: The Way Home Stand Down and Access Fair Is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors and a Project Homeless Connect Event. More than 20 Helena agencies come together in September in a one-stop setting to offer access to their services to their homeless or nearly homeless neighbors. Approximately 140 homeless and nearly homeless persons attended the event in 2007. In addition to making connections with helping agencies, they had a home-cooked meal, received clothing and other goods, had haircuts and showers. Live entertainment took place throughout the event. The Way Home Event
Several Motnana cities hold Stand Downs and/or Project Homeless Connect events. If you'd like information about your event posted here, contact Sherri@mtcoh.org.
Demonstration Project: Billings Montana As part of its strategy to end homelessness in Montana, the MTCoH has partnered with the City of Billings. The Council sponsored a series of full-day community meetings that ultimately resulted in the appointment of the Mayor's Committee on Homelessness. The Committee began meeting in June 2006, to meet Mayor Tussing’s charge to develop a 10-Year Plan to address the needs of the chronically homeless in Billings. The Mayor’s Committee includes representation from a broad stakeholder group including housing / service providers, civic / business leaders, economic / work force agencies, faith based / philanthropy groups, and other interested parties. For more information, contact Brenda Beckett, Committee Coordinator at the City of Billings - Community Development Division, 657-8286 or beckettb@ci.billings.mt.us.
