May 2025

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

The Montana Public Health Training Center has partnered with the Montana Clinical and Translational Research Center to feature an in-person training on Community Engaged Research on May 27, 2025.



All are invited to attend! Please register to attend by Friday, May 23.

Click here to read Dr. Backlund Jarquin's bio.

Future Forecast: The Public Health Department's Outlook Over the Next Four Years

This course provides an overview of the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) and Montana’s 21st Century (21C) transformation effort, exploring how these initiatives aim to modernize and strengthen public health systems. Participants will learn why these transformations are critical for improving system alignment, addressing emerging health challenges, and building sustainable, resilient public health systems for the future.

Presenters: Meagan Gillespie, MBA and Sarah Compton, MPH

Date: May 21, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM MT

Location: Zoom

Register: MPHTC Portal

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Public Health Grant Writing 101: The nuts and bolts of getting organized, getting clarity, and getting funded

Does the thought of grant writing intimidate you? Or just make you want to run for the hills? In this workshop, veteran grant writer Katie Loveland will share tools to take the pain out of grant writing and equip you to develop compelling grant proposals to fund your public health program. Participants will learn how to identify funding opportunities, craft persuasive narratives, structure budgets, and align proposals with funder priorities.

Presenter: Katie Loveland, MPH, MSW

Date: May 28, 2025

Time: 9:00AM-10:30AM MT

Where: Zoom

Register: MPHTC Portal

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The Role of Public Health in Addressing Climate Change

This training will explore the latest scientific evidence of how climate change is impacting Montana, as well as explore the role that public health can play in addressing climate change at the community level.

Presenter: Tony Ward, PhD

Date: May 29, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM MT

Where: Zoom

Register: MPHTC Portal

Recently posted positions

• Health Program Assistant - Environmental Health, Flathead County
• Environmental Disease Specialist - Hill County
• Behavioral Health Systems Improvement Manager - Yellowstone County
• Registered Dietician - Yellowstone County
• And many more!

If you have jobs you would like us to post, please email Carolyn.Hester@mso.umt.edu or post directly to the job posting form.

Community Health Fairs

This has been another busy month for community health fairs! We were excited to engage with K-12 students in Philipsburg, Drummond, and Ft. Belknap! Over 800 students had the opportunity to witness public health in action with public health coloring pages, an I Spy Public Health activity, an air purification smoke box simulation, and hands-on experience with diseased and healthy pig lungs to learn about the dangers of smoking.

Public Health hands-on activities presented at the Aaniiih Nakoda Expo in Ft. Belknap

Philipsburg and Drummond health fairs

Virtual Teacher Workshop - May 21 or 22 (attend one)

Please share this flyer with teachers in your community!

If you would like more information on how you can be involved in this initiative, please reach out to Kristen.Cram@mso.umt.edu or Anna.Kiley@mso.umt.edu.

Support in Times of Uncertainty

Dear Partners,

As many of you are aware, there is uncertainty regarding the future of federal funding for public health, and Montana, like other states, does not yet have clear information on what changes may come or how they will impact our programs and services. We want to assure you that public health partners in Montana are monitoring the situation together and will keep you apprised as we learn more. Transparency and ongoing communication will remain a priority as we navigate this evolving landscape together.

At the same time, this moment presents a strategic opportunity for us as a state to reflect and imagine how public health can be delivered more effectively, collaboratively, and sustainably across Montana. It aligns closely with the goals of the Montana 21C: Strengthening Public Health Together initiative, which in part brings stakeholders together to explore how communications, policy, and funding can better support a strong, resilient public health system statewide.

Montanans have always shown strength through unity and shared purpose. As we face this period of uncertainty, we are confident that together, we can chart a path forward that reinforces and reimagines public health for the future of our state. The upcoming regional meetings, where the Foundational Public Health Services assessment results will be shared, offer valuable opportunities to engage in these important discussions. If you have not yet registered, please complete the registration form: https://form.jotform.com/250797892087071

Regional Meetings

You are invited to attend one of the upcoming in-person regional meetings, where we’ll be:

• Providing you with your jurisdiction’s data from the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) assessment 
• Presenting the statewide findings from the FPHS assessment 
• Engaging in open dialogue about Montana 21C and how we can transform our public health system—together

The meetings are from 11 am to 2 pm and lunch will be provided. The dates are locations are:

• Billings, May 19
• Glendive, May 20
• Havre, May 22
• Polson, May 29
• Butte, May 30

These meetings are a vital opportunity to connect, reflect on where we are, and envision where we’re going. Your participation will help shape the future of public health in Montana.

Please sign up using this link to select your preferred meeting location and date.

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.