Monthly Archives

July 2026

Jul 29
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Reflections on the 9th Annual Perinatal Mental Health Conference

By Maternal Mental Health, Perinatal Mental Health Conference

Annually, the Perinatal Mental Health Conference brings together the people working every day to support Montana moms, babies, and families. For the past two years, we’ve included coloring pages in our conference materials, inviting participants to color and reflect as they learn. Looking back at some of the completed pages, we’re reminded that each person contributes something unique. Individually, every page tells a different story. Together, they create a complex tapestry that reflects the many perspectives, lived experiences, and strengths needed to support Montana’s perinatal population.

This year, we were honored to welcome over 200 attendees to Billings, representing 10 states, 48 communities, 23 Montana counties, and six Tribal Nations and Reservations. From behavioral health providers and nurses to doulas, home visitors, public health professionals, educators, and nonprofit leaders, the conference brought together people from every corner of Montana’s perinatal system of care.

More than 40% of attendees joined us for the first time. Moving the conference to Billings helped us reach new communities, and we were grateful to welcome so many new faces alongside familiar ones.

Beyond the presentations, what stood out most was the sense of connection. Conversations continued between sessions, new relationships formed, and colleagues took time to learn from one another. We celebrated strong representation from Indigenous communities throughout the conference, which centered conversations around culturally safe care and Indigenous birthwork.

We’re already looking ahead to our milestone 10th Annual Perinatal Mental Health Conference, and we hope you’ll join us as we continue learning, growing, and strengthening the network of people supporting Montana families. We look forward to celebrating a decade of growth and change in the Montana perinatal landscape and remain committed to caring for the caregivers and incorporating the thoughtful feedback we’ve received along the way.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, exhibited, sponsored, or volunteered. Your willingness to share your knowledge, experiences, and time is what makes this conference so special. Like the tapestry created by the coloring pages, our work is strongest when many unique voices and perspectives come together in support of Montana families.

 

 

Jul 11
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Strategic Plan furthers impact of valuable Home Visiting programs in Montana

By Home Visiting

The Montana Home Visiting Coalition (MHVC) has adopted a new 3-year Strategic Plan, continuing with their objective to advance home visiting services in our state.

Home visiting is a voluntary coaching service that aims to strengthen families during pregnancy and early childhood, by working with new and expecting parents and caregivers of young children. In these programs, trained home visitors – usually nurses or childhood specialists – assist with building parenting skills and connecting families with the services they need to thrive.

The Montana Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy Montana Families supports 18 home visiting programs – three of which serve Tribal communities – through funding from the federal Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. MHVC works closely with those and other home visiting programs in Montana to share resources and coordinate efforts to serve more families across the state.

“Home visiting is valuable for our community because we have our eyes on the most vulnerable,” said Hannah Akard, a Billings-based home visiting nurse we interviewed in April for National Home Visiting Week. “It’s breaking down walls where racism, economic status and past experiences of judgement have created barriers. Home visiting nurses have the opportunity to get past all of that.”

Proven benefits of home visiting include early detection of health issues and developmental delays, improved kindergarten readiness, improved family self-sufficiency and reduced child abuse, neglect and domestic violence.

This year the coalition – which formed in 2021 – has mapped out three primary goals in their strategic plan: To grow and diversify funding for home visiting programs in Montana; to build public understanding of why home visiting matters to Montana families, and to cultivate a thriving and sustainable home visiting workforce across Montana.

“By working together around a shared vision, we can strengthen home visiting services and create lasting improvements for families statewide,” said Mary Collins, Policy Director for Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies – the Montana Coalition. “This strategic plan helps us focus on the work that will have the greatest impact, and we’re fortunate to do it alongside such committed partners across the state.”

Selene, a Montana mother who called Nurse Family Partnership when she was pregnant with her daughter, continues to meet regularly with a registered nurse to discuss milestones in her first year as a parent, work through any questions or challenges that arise, and receive connections and resources she can rely on.

“Home visiting programs are a huge advantage for moms – during pregnancy, but especially postpartum,” Selene said. “I really, truly think this has been such a blessing for us – I will always recommend it highly for support in all areas.”

Want to read up on details about the MHVC 2026-2029 Strategic Plan? Go to https://staging.hmhb-mt.org/homevisiting/ to find out more.