January 2026

You should have recently received a message from us asking you to confirm your email preferences - thank you to those who have already done so!

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

Save the Dates: Eating Disorders in Youth Learning Series

In recognition of February's Eating Disorder Awareness Month, the MPHTC is partnering with the Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development to bring you two learning opportunities focused on eating disorders in youth. Each session will feature speakers followed by a Q&A and discussion.

Additional information and registration links will be available soon!

February 5, 2026 - 4:00-5:30pm MT

February 19, 2026 - 4:00-5:30pm MT

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.

As of January 1, 2026, the University of Montana’s Project ECHO initiative has transitioned from the Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development (CCFWD) to the Montana Public Health Training Center (MPHTC). This move provides Project ECHO with greater access to public health resources, more opportunities for collaboration, and increased training capacity, further aligning with MPHTC’s mission to strengthen Montana’s public health workforce.

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a proven collaborative model that connects Montana health and public health professionals with interdisciplinary specialists through virtual sessions. These sessions support case-based learning, mentoring, and knowledge exchange. Instead of providing direct patient care, the ECHO Model equips frontline clinicians and practitioners to deliver expert-informed care in their own communities, especially in rural and underserved areas.

With this transition to MPHTC, current participants and programs will not experience any changes. All ongoing ECHO series, including disease intervention, clinical specialty sessions, and continuing education, will continue without interruption. The move strengthens administrative and strategic support for ECHO’s statewide efforts, ensuring Montana’s workforce has consistent access to high-quality professional development and peer engagement.

MPHTC supports professional development for Montana’s public health and healthcare professionals, making it a natural fit for Project ECHO’s lifelong learning model. Through MPHTC’s infrastructure, ECHO networks connect disease intervention specialists, healthcare providers, and other professionals for ongoing dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. This transition enables communities to share expertise and improve outcomes across the state.

To register for the HCV ECHO, held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at noon via Zoom, complete the registration form here.

To participate in the Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) ECHO, held every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 11 a.m. via Zoom, registration details can be found here.

New Year Waypoint: Goal Setting for 2026 - Jan 15 @ 2:00pm MT

Kick off 2026 with a grounding reset, quick goal tips, and one tiny turn you can act on now. Arrive as you are - roll out refreshed.

More Pitstops Coming Up! All sessions are at 2pm MT:

• Chair Yoga 1/29
• Mindful Meditation 2/12
• Heart Health 2/26
• Mindful Eating 3/12
• Time Management Tips 3/26
• Making Stress Your Friend 4/9
• Making Stress Your Friend II 4/23

Register to attend by visiting the MPHTC Portal.

These waypoints lead us to Confluence 2026 in April. We hope to see you there!

Let us help you fill open positions!

Our new Public Health Jobs Board is attracting job seekers from across the state, and beyond! The jobs board has received over 4,300 visitors since October 2025.

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.

UM-TAC hopes everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday season! As we step into the new year, we invite you to join us on our journey. Prevention specialists across the state continue working hard to meet the evolving needs of Montana communities through existing and innovative approaches. Stay connected for upcoming news, insights, and opportunities to get involved.

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.

2025 Montana Public Health Workforce Assessment Report

The MT 21C Workforce Development Group is pleased to share the 2025 Montana Public Health Workforce Assessment Report, highlighting the findings of the recent assessment which many of you participated in. This data will inform the 2026-28 Montana Public Health Workforce Development Plan, which should be finalized in January!

Over the coming months, we will continue work to produce individual reports for each health department that participated in the survey. Please reach out if you have any questions.

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.” 

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.

PHN Mentorship Program - Call for Mentees

The Montana Public Health Association's Public Health Nurse Section is excited to announce a mentorship program for public health nurses new to their position. The PHN Mentorship Program will provide resources and training to increase foundational skills and competences while connecting new public health nurses with experienced public health nurse mentors. 

Mentees are encouraged to apply here. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interested nurses are encouraged to complete the short application by February 1. More details are available here: https://www.confluencepha.org/mentorship-programs 

MCTRC Co-Laboratory

You are invited to join us for bi-monthly Co-Laboratories where we connect healthcare, public health, and academic partners through talks, training, and opportunities to advance research together.

Next Co-Lab:

January 12, 2026

3:00-4:00PM MST

Register for Zoom link

Flash Talk: RESOLVE and Cardiac Innovation featuring:

• Daniel Spoon, Chief Medical officer Providence Montana, MD
• Ammarah Mahmud, Clinical Research Scientist, PhD, Providence Health Research Accelerator
• Kelli Hoffman, Supervisor Research RN, Providence Saint Patrick Hospital
• Jessica Fleser, Program Manager, CCRP, Providence Health Research Accelerator

MCTRC is now accepting Letters of Intent for 2026 Pilot and Developmental Awards supporting clinical and translational research in Montana.

Funding opportunities include:

• Pilot Awards: Up to $60,000 (1 year)

• Developmental Awards: Up to $100,000/year (2 years)

If you are a University of Montana Investigator or an Investigator at one of our partner organizations and are interested in this funding opportunity, please visit https://lnkd.in/gMTdzD9J

LOIs due January 30, 2026.

The Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center has numerous upcoming learning opportunities, including:

• Evidence-Based Public Health (EBPH) - registration closes Jan. 13th!
• Applied Youth Engagement: From Reflection to Action - registration closes Jan. 19.
• Grants Budgeting Workshop - registration closes Jan. 26.
• Designing Effective Meetings - registration closes Jan. 27.
• Facilitation: From Brainstorming to Decision Making Micro Course - registration closes Jan. 28.
• The Inner Strength of a Leader Mastering Resilience - registration closes Feb. 9.

Visit their website 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.

Risk Reduction Learning Collaborative

Learning and networking opportunity for tribally-led health programs and urban Indian organizations provided by ASTHO, the Alzheimer's Association, and NACCHO.

Please reference the attached flyer for more information.

Apply by January 16, 2026 to join the learning collaborative.

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.