August Faith and Community Based Services Newsletter

FROM THE FCBS COORDINATOR

I heard last week that in Montana, August is like Sunday. It is a time to rest after a busy July, and also a time to prepare for the return to a new season of school, youth programming, regular worship schedules, and a routine that is often absent in July. I hope that during August’s preparations for the coming fall, you find time to rest and enjoy what remains of the beauty that is Montana summer.

When I came to this new role eight months ago, I was given a wonderful opportunity to build an office to support faith and community organizations. Giving them a voice, I became someone to listen and connect, problem solve, and support their efforts in providing for the health and safety of people in their local communities. Exploring creative funding opportunities and ways in which models could be replicated across Montana was an absolute joy. I got to meet many of you in my travels and hear about your successes and challenges. Together, many new ideas, connections and awareness of existing resources was created.    

For me, August will be a time of transition and change. Mid-month I will be transitioning into a leadership role with our Early Childhood and Family Support Division here at DPHHS. While my role is shifting, my commitment to the children and families of Montana remains. I will have the opportunity to work with a dedicated team on childcare, early childhood education, WIC, home visiting, adolescent health, and many other wonderful programs.

The agency is committed to continuing the work of this office and has started the recruitment process. I am sharing the link to the Job Description - Faith and Community Based Coordinator to cast a wide net to recruit someone who will continue moving this work forward. It has been a pleasure to work alongside many of you, and I know many of our paths will continue to cross in my new position.

It has been a blessing to do this work on behalf of Montanans. Thank you!

Contact

Tracy Moseman
Faith and Community Based Services Coordinator
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
(406) 202-9465
tracy.moseman@mt.gov

Mental Health Training Available for Faith Communities Across Montana!  

One in four people in America will go to their spiritual leader before a professional when they are experiencing a crisis. Do you know the questions to ask to determine if someone is suicidal? Do you know how to access the Montana Crisis Hotline to get someone connected with resources in Montana?

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has recently awarded funds to Guided Healing Trails located in Missoula Montana for the purpose of providing evidenced based training to faith leaders in Montana to equip them to respond to mental health crisis. 

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training is a three step process used to intervene in a mental health emergency. Just like CPR, this 90 minute course equips attendees to have the skills to respond to a crisis and get the person referred to help. There are two options for participation in this training:

• Contact Alicia Kuhlman at ght.alicia1@gmail.com or 406-540-4120 to schedule a training for members of your faith community. You will need to coordinate logistics and marketing within your faith community for this free event.
• Register to attend one of the following virtual sessions open to faith communities across Montana by using this link: bit.ly/QPR_registration

Sessions will be held on the following dates from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

2022 Dates: Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17

2023 Dates: Jan. 19, Feb. 16, Mar. 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, or July 20 

IN THE NEWS

Do you have a centenarian in your community that you would like honored at the Governor's Conference on Aging? Centenarians, or friends and family are encouraged to submit the following information so we can honor them including a framed certificate from Governor Gianforte. 

Nominations must be received by September 15, 2022 and include the following information. 

(NOTE: The first five items are required in order to receive a certificate.) 

1. Centenarian's name.
2. Contact person (who to send certificate to).
3. Contact person’s phone number and email address.
4. Mailing address (where to send the certificate).
5. Birth date of centenarian.
6. Is the centenarian a Veteran?
7. Where were they born?
8. If not born in Montana, what is their story on how they got to Montana?
9. What is the secret to their longevity?
10. What has been the most amazing event in their life that they would like to share?
11. What is their favorite quote?
12. Anything else they would like us to know about the centenarian?
13. Please provide a picture of the centenarian when the information above is submitted. 

Please send centenarian information to: 

Governor’s Conference on Aging - Centenarians  DPHHS - SLTC  P.O. Box 4210  Helena, MT 59604-4210 

Or email Nichole Thennis, DPHHS Senior and Long Term Care Division, at  Nichole.Thennis@mt.gov. 

Or submit your information online at Honoring Montana’s Centenarians

FAITH AND COMMUNITY
IN ACTION

Afterschool and summer programs provide Montana’s youth and families with safe, fun, healthy spaces to learn when the school day or school year ends. The Montana Afterschool Alliance (MTAA) serves as the champion for these out-of-school time (OST) programs. MTAA’s vision is that all K-12 youth across the state have access to OST programs that prepare them for success in education, careers, and life. Faith and community based services are an integral part of this effort and MTAA is available to support and connect you with other programs and resources to encourage partnerships, space and resource sharing, volunteer opportunities, and the growth and sustainability of programs in every community.

Find out more, learn and get connected to programs in your town, visit: http://www.mtafterschoolalliance.org/.

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that St. Vincent Healthcare is an Association of Clinical Pastoral Education accredited training center for students interested in chaplaincy training?

In 2018, St. Vincent Healthcare became an accredited training center offering affordable access to professional graduate level clinical training for spiritual care providers in Montana and Wyoming. The program totals 400 hours, with most of the intern’s time spent in direct patient/client contact integrating chaplains as an active part of the patient care team. Utilizing teleconference technology, the program can train students across Montana and Northern Wyoming. The program is designed for clergy, seminary students, religious professionals, and selected laypersons. The program spans September through March with an application deadline mid-May of the spring before the program starts with a cost of $1,500 for the program. 

For more information on the program, you can contact ACPE Certified Educator Rev. Kent Schaufelberger at (509) 688-9726 or kentschauf@gmail.com