December 2025

The MPHTC newsletter will provide timely updates, information on upcoming trainings, events, resources, and more!

Building Trust in Public Health: Addressing Misinformation

Unregulated supplements, unproven treatments, and viral falsehoods continue to challenge public health. This session equips participants with tools to recognize, analyze, and effectively respond to health mis-, mal-, and disinformation. Learn why misinformation spreads, how it impacts vulnerable populations, and how to counter it using trust-centered, evidence-informed communication strategies.

Trainer: Heather Voorhees, PhD

Date: 2/5/26

Time: 10:00AM-noon MT

Location: Zoom

Register: MPHTC Portal

Coming Soon!

Budgeting with Excel - a series of asynchronous learning modules that will guide participants through building and managing budgets and leveraging Excel functionality for structure and consistency.

Wellness Waypoint: Winter Well-being Reset

Winter can bring lower energy, mood changes, increased stress, and a sense of isolation, especially for those working in helping professions. This 30-minute Wellness Waypoint offers a gentle reset focused on realistic, science-informed practices to support mind, body, and emotional well-being during the winter season. Participants will explore how seasonal changes affect daily rhythms and learn simple, practical habits centered on light, movement, and connection to help them feel more grounded, supported, and resilient.

Trainer: Desiree Restad, Wellness Strategist

Date: 12/11/25

Time: 3:00-3:30PM MT

Location: Zoom

Register: MPHTC Portal

Let us help you fill open positions!

Our new Public Health Jobs Board is attracting job seekers from across the state, and beyond!

This new tool includes enhanced features including filters and keyword searches to assist job seekers in our state.

Do you have a position you would like posted on our board? It's easy (and free!) to submit a job using our Create a Job Posting Form.

Searching for a student or intern?

We work closely with faculty and advisors in the School of Public and Community Health Sciences. We can help connect you with graduate students looking for applied practicum projects or internships. Simply fill out the form and we will help notify interested students and make connections.

The University of Montana Technical Assistance Center is pleased to share about The Rooted in Resiliency – An Agricultural Conference taking place Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10am – 5pm at the Stage Stop Inn and Conference Center in Choteau, MT.

Topics include:

• Financial Resiliency for Producers
• Land and Legacy Planning
• Mental Wellness for Farmers and Ranchers
• Extending the Grazing Season and
Calculating Lease Rates
• Threats to Herd Health: A Veterinarians Perspective

Click here to access the flyer for more information or call (406) 466-2562 to register.

Thank you to Claire Hodgkiss, one of the amazing prevention specialists that we serve, for organizing this event for our Montana communities!

TRAIN Montana

We are thrilled to announce that all of our high school public health curriculum and associated materials are now available on TRAIN Montana!

To access the curriculum, you will first need to create a free TRAIN account or log in with an existing account. Then, navigate to the curriculum by following this link.

Want to get involved? We would love to talk with you! Email us at mphtc@mso.umt.edu.

The PHSIO Workforce Development Program is excited to announce we are offering another round of scholarships for state, local, and tribal health department employees who want to broaden their knowledge of public health and advance their education by obtaining a graduate certificate from the University of Montana.

The programs offered are Certificate in Public Health (CPH), Certificate in Epidemiology (CE), Certificate in Environmental Health Sciences (CEHS), and Certificate in Public Health Administration (CPHA). We are currently accepting nominations for a Fall 2026 start. Each program consists of four courses to be taken over four consecutive semesters, total 15-month commitment. Please see the linked flyer for more information.

Montana Arthritis and Falls Prevention Programs

The Montana Arthritis and Falls Prevention Programs are excited to announce our upcoming 2026 training courses for Stepping On, Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL), and Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention.

Stepping On

• March 24-26, 2026 in Helena, MT

Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL)

• April 7-8, 2026, in Sidney, MT
• May 6-7, 2026 in Helena, MT

Tai Chi for Arthritis & Falls Prevention

• May 19-20, 2026 in Kalispell, MT

Walk with Ease (for more information, please reach out to Melissa or Erin)

• Online

Register Today: Spaces are limited, so don't wait! Click on the program name to learn more about the program, training requirements, and to register. Secure your spot to attend the leader trainings and bring these valuable programs to your community!

For any questions or if you need more information, please contact Melissa.Dale@mt.gov or Erin.Bley@mt.gov.

Facilitation Foundations

Registration is open for the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center’s Winter run of Facilitation Foundations – a highly interactive, deep-dive course designed for those new to facilitation.



Course Dates: Every other Wednesday, 12:00-2:00PM MT, January 21-March 18

Cost: $385

Over 10 weeks, you’ll build your capacity to facilitate meetings and coalitions that are efficient, effective, and lead to results. Through hands-on activities, you’ll:

• Discover your facilitation style and how it impacts group dynamics
• Learn strategies to anticipate, prevent, and manage challenging situations
• Explore structured strategies for idea generation, evaluation, and decision-making

By the end, you’ll be equipped to help groups meet their goals and take ownership of the process.

Register here by January 6th!

Help shape the Montana-specific Foundational Public Health Services!

Montana 21C is undertaking a review of the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) to ensure that our state's public health system is in alignment with the needs of Montanans and are reflective of our current rules and regulations. 

Montana 21C is seeking governmental public health staff to serve on the advisory council, as well as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to review specific FPHS Areas and Capabilities. With your participation, voice, and guidance we can create a FPHS model for Montana that will serve our state for years to come. 

Please navigate to the Interest Form to learn more and join in!

Join Montana 21C Communications & Environmental Health Subgroups

Montana 21C is now moving into the action phase and your input is critical to our shared success. Please check your email for communication regarding two opportunities to engage with the Montana 21C: Strengthening Public Health Together:



Communications Subgroup [second Tues of every month at 2pm via Teams] Next meeting: December 9th, Teams link.

• Focus: Messaging Montana 21C effectively, reviewing the communications plan, and developing a roadmap.
• Participants: Open to all interested staff.

Environmental Health Subgroup [third Monday of every month at 1pm via Teams] Next meeting: December 15th, Teams link.

• Focus: Addressing current and emerging environmental health issues, strengthening collaboration with public health, and exploring strategies to recruit and retain sanitarians.
• Participants: Local health officials, sanitarians, environmental health staff, university staff, state agency staff, and MEHA members are especially encouraged to join.

Annual Association Meetings

You are invited to join the Montana Environmental Health Association (MEHA) for its Annual Association Meeting on December 11 at 12:30p. Register now.  

You are invited to join the Montana Public Health Association (MPHA) for its Annual Association Meeting on December 17 at 12:00p.  Register now. 

Confluence 2026 Conference Abstracts and Awards

Confluence Public Health Alliance (AMPHO, MEHA, MPHA) will be holding the annual public and environmental health conference at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, April 14 - 16, 2025. This year’s theme is “Plains to Peaks: Uniting for a Healthier Montana.” 

Conference abstract applications are open! Submission deadline has been extended to January 8, 2026.

The best of public and environmental health will be celebrated during the Annual Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 15. 

MEHA and MPHA invite you to nominate coworkers, colleagues, fellow collaborators, or anyone else you know who contributes to public and environmental health in Montana.

Please submit by January 16.

Step-by-Step: a Phased Approach to Succession Planning in public Health (Virtual TTA Series)

This online training and technical assistance (TTA) series is designed to provide local governmental public health practitioners with knowledge and tools to develop robust succession plans and demystify the succession planning process overall.

Participants are expected to attend all 3 live virtual TA sessions, which will occur on:

• January 26, 2026 from 12-1 PM ET
• April 20, 2026 from 12-1 PM ET
• June 29, 2026 from 12-1 PM ET
• 
  

Estimated time to complete course: 15 contact hours

For more information, and to enroll, visit the Region V Public Health Training Center website.

$5K Mini Grant Funding Opportunity

The Montana Clinical and Translational Research Center supports innovative research partnerships between the University of Montana and our Partner Organizations: Billings Clinic, Logan Health, Missoula Public Health, Montana DPHHS, Providence, and Shodair Children's Hospital.

To learn more and to apply, visit MCTRC's website. Application deadline - December 31!

We welcome the opportunity to share announcements on behalf of your organization. Please email anna.kiley@mso.umt.edu if you have an announcement you would like us to include in future newsletters.