March 2026

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

Recruitment Strategies for Montana Public Health Departments

This interactive webinar brings together Montana public health professionals and University of Montana students for a candid, practice-informed conversation about recruiting the next generation of the public health workforce. Centered on real-world hiring needs and student perspectives, the session will explore effective recruitment strategies, common barriers to hiring, and how tools like the Montana Public Health Training Center job board can support connections between health departments and emerging talent. By elevating both employer and student voices, this training is designed to strengthen recruitment pathways and align workforce opportunities with the skills and interests of future public health professionals.

Date: 4/2/26

Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM MT

Location: Zoom

Register: MPHTC Portal

Public Health Grant Management 101: Foundations for Local and Tribal Subrecipients

This interactive, instructor-led virtual training introduces the fundamentals of public health grant management for subrecipients of federal pass-through funds administered by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The session focuses on grant terminology, award documents, task orders, and 2 CFR 200 requirements, emphasizing practical, real-world application without unnecessary technical complexity. It is recommended that participants also register and attend the second session of this training.

Trainers: Sara E. Miller and Montelle M. Tamez, Otowi Group

Date: 5/7/26

Time: 10:00AM-12:00PM

Location: Zoom

Register: MPHTC Portal

Public Health Grant Management 101: Implementation, Monitoring, and Compliance

This second session of the Public Health Grant Management 101 series focuses on practical implementation and compliance, including monitoring expenditures, tracking deliverables, maintaining documentation, and preparing for audits. Grounded in 2 CFR 200, the training emphasizes internal controls, records retention, and proactive risk management tailored to local and tribal public health practice. It is recommended that participants have attended the Foundations session or view the training recording prior to attending this session.

Trainers: Sara E. Miller and Montelle M. Tamez, Otowi Group

Date: 5/28/26

Time: 10:00AM-12:00PM

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.

In conjunction with the 2026 Confluence Conference, the Montana Public Health Training Center is hosting a student event on April 15 from 6:30–8:00pm at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, and we’re looking for public and environmental health professionals who would be willing to share their time and expertise with local students.

This interactive evening will connect students with professionals working across public and environmental health fields and we’d love to have you involved! There are two ways to participate:

Option 1: Career Panelist

• Participate in a short, engaging career panel where students can hear about your pathway, current role, and advice for those interested in the field.

Option 2: Activity Station Facilitator

• Lead a brief, hands-on 5–10 minute activity that introduces students to a public health topic or career area. Students will rotate through small-group stations, so this is a great opportunity to create something interactive and memorable.

Or, participate in both options!

Dinner will be provided, and the audience will include local Billings-area students who are curious about careers that impact community health.

If you’re interested in participating (or would like to learn more), please reach out to anna.kiley@mso.umt.edu. We would be so grateful for your support in helping inspire the next generation of Montana’s public health workforce.

Join the Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) ECHO, hosted by Project ECHO at the Montana Public Health Training Center on March 12 at 11:00 AM for Part 1 of a 4-part series on Partner Services.

Project ECHO UM connects public health professionals to enhance their knowledge of communicable diseases, investigations, and reporting and fosters community and partnership amongst public health peers.

Prevention Specialist Spotlight

Montana Prevention and Wellness’ Prevention Specialist, Justin Mathews, based in Livingston, Montana is making headlines with his work in Park County. Justin has been presenting the interactive ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ prevention program to schools across the county.

The program is interactive and allows parents and youth to explore the warning signs of substance use and risky behaviors. You can read more about his amazing work here: https://mtnewsthedugout.substack.com/p/juanita-bueter-and-justin-matthews

All are invited to join us for upcoming wellness sessions! All sessions are at 2pm MT:

• 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 been visited over 10,000 times!

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.

FPHS Information Sessions

Last Spring, local and tribal health leaders told us Montana needs its own Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) model. Partners of the Montana 21C: Strengthening Public Health Together initiative are facilitating the development of that Montana-specific model. 

This model will define the basic public health services that should be available to everyone through Montana’s governmental public health system: the network of local, tribal, and state health departments that work together to protect and promote the health of all Montanans. 

Please attend an information session to learn about this process and how you can provide feedback to help shape these definitions for our state. You can register for a session by clicking on the date and time that works best for your schedule. Multiple sessions are available for your convenience.  

• March 5th from 12-1pm 
• March 6th from 9-10am 
• March 10th from 2-3pm 
• March 12 from 12-1pm: 406 Office Hours 
• March 12th from 3-4pm: MPHA Partnership 

Please email info@montanapublichealth21c.org if none of these times work for you but are still interested in participating.  

Confluence 2026 Conference

Plains to Peaks: Uniting for a Healthier Montana

April14-16 | Billings Hotel & Convention Center

Don't forget to register for the Confluence Conference!

Additional information, including a detailed agenda and session descriptions are available on the conference website: https://www.confluencepha.org/confluence-conference

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