LCC Behavioral Health Local Advisory Council
General Meetings
The LCC Behavioral Health Local Advisory Council general monthly meeting is held the 1st Tuesday of the month | 11:30am - 12:30pm
Zoom Remote Meetings planned with intermittent in-person meeting options.
Next Meeting Date: December 2, 2025 via Zoom link below, agenda here(PDF, 214KB) .
Spotlight Guest/Presentation: Mental Health Awareness Month Rodney Street Block Party - Villette Burk
Contact: jdorrington@lccountymt.gov, BHSI Specialist
Special Events in 2025
September is Suicide Prevention Month-Awareness, Engagement and Prevention Opportunities
988 Day is September 8th - Join the movement to awareness of our MT 988 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline at
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) MT Walkathon is Sunday, September 21 from 12:30-2:30pm visit
Recent Events
Mental Health Awareness Month of May Events! Thank you for your participation!!!
Current News and Resources
BH Crisis System Dashboard goes live at Lewis and Clark Public Health website on August 30, 2023! Next Quarterly Update in January 2025!
Behavioral Health Crisis System Improvement Pillars: 988 | Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) | Crisis Facility
MCRT Presentation for Community Education, St. Peter's Health, October,2023
MT 988 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Lifeline state and national 3 digit helpline, launched 7.16.22!
FY23 Behavioral Health Infographic with Mobile Crisis Response Team End of Year Numbers Plus
The Journey Home Building was purchased by Many Rivers Whole Health from the County in August 2024 with intention of re-opening the much needed Crisis Receiving Facility. Opening of facility is being planned in a sustainable three phase process in FY25. Phases start with 24/7 Receiving in phase 1, Stabilization phase 2 and Emergency Beds phase 3.
County RFP for Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Facility: New Journey Home released August 2022 and re-released October 2023.
BH Crisis System Strategic Planning Goals BHSI Leadership Team June 2023
Key Next Steps for Crisis Facility defined by BHSI Leadership Team June 2022!
2023 MT Legislative Forum: A Lewis and Clark County BH Local Advisory Council Tri-County Initiative 12.9.22
Overview , Presentation Slides, Takeaways and Recording.
Mental Health Awareness Block Party on Rodney Street on May 17, 2025
Save the Date!
The Mental Health Awareness Rodney Street Block Party is scheduled for Saturday May 17, 2025, from 12:00-2:00. 
Community organization resources for mental health, substance use, and wellness are key part of our event-table registration is now complete and we are ready for our annual block party on Saturday, 5/17 at 111 N. Rodney Street, Helena MT. The family focused Mental Health Awareness Block Party runs from 12pm to 2pm and road will closed to traffic again this year! Please remember to bring your own tables and chairs and arrive between 11-11:30 for easy access before roads close!
Block Party Registration Form is closed-space is filled!
Please see flyer attached(PDF, 6MB) and consider posting at your organization or sharing in the community!
We look forward to bringing the community together and hope you will join us for another year of community, food and resource connections.
Thank you,
The Mental Health Awareness Rodney Street Block Party Planning Committee and the Behavioral Health Local Advisory Council
Spotlight Presentations
MT Angel Initiative 4.1.2025(PDF, 746KB)
Mobile Clinic Van LCPH LAC 1.7.2025(PDF, 669KB)
Behavioral Health Education Course(PDF, 494KB) , August 2024
Screening Linked to Care, 2023(PDF, 828KB)
211, 988 and BH Provider One Form Application, 2023
Behavioral Health and Wellness Initiatives at Helena Public Schools, June 2023
Workforce Opportunities: Expanding the IPS Model in MT, August 2023
Safer Communities Montana Presentation, April 2023(PDF, 3MB)
Involuntary Commitment Presentation June 2022(PDF, 1MB)
More presentations can be found on Vimeo!
Planning and Media Reference
Please review LAC Agendas and Minutes to verify meeting date, time, and location as changes may be made to accommodate holidays, special events or other conflicts. Thank you.
What Is the LAC?
In 2011 the Lewis and Clark County Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 2011-174 authorizing the creation of the Behavioral Health Local Advisory Council (LAC). From this date forward, the LAC's specific objectives have maintained to include the following:
- Provide input and recommendations to the State of Montana's Behavioral Health Oversight Advisory Council (BHOAC) and the State of Montana's State Administering Agencies (SAA).
- Examine gaps in child and adult services and recommend solutions when gaps are identified.
- Identify potential additions to services within Lewis and Clark County for recommendation to the County Commissioners.
- When identified, analyze and discuss local problems experienced by Lewis and Clark County service providers, advocacy groups, public officials and the general public.
- Facilitate accurate and timely communications.
- Assess the effectiveness of Lewis and Clark County behavioral health services and suggest ways of making services more effective.
- When identified, serve as a catalyst and facilitator in solving Lewis and Clark County behavioral health service problems.
- Recommend strategies for organization and coordination of behavioral health services in Lewis and Clark County, when identified.
- Work with behavioral health providers to provide education to the Lewis and Clark County public on behavioral health issues.
LAC Strategic Planning Workgroups
FY24-FY27 (CURRENT)
Effective on 2.6.2024, the LAC developed their Three-Year Strategic Plan which include Five Focused Pillar Team workgroups!
Strategic Plan Report(PDF, 238KB) . Five Pillar workgroup logic models with goals and progress made will be available annually. Contact jjennings@lccountymt.gov to join a workgroup or learn about progress.
2024 General Meeting Agenda and Minutes
Agenda: January,(PDF, 206KB) February(PDF, 203KB) , March(PDF, 181KB) , April, May, June, July-cancelled,August(PDF, 208KB) , September(PDF, 199KB) , October(PDF, 233KB) , November, December 2024
Minutes: January, February(PDF, 199KB) , March(PDF, 178KB) , April(PDF, 190KB) , May, June,(PDF, 45KB) July cancelled, August(PDF, 131KB) , September(PDF, 196KB) , October(PDF, 126KB) , November Holiday, December(PDF, 105KB)
Supportive Documents: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2025 General Meeting Agenda and Minutes
Agenda: January(PDF, 216KB) , February(PDF, 212KB) , March(PDF, 223KB) ,April(PDF, 212KB) , May-6-2025-LAC-Agenda.pdf(PDF, 215KB), June-3-2025-LAC-Agenda-final-jj.pdf(PDF, 205KB) , (no July Meeting), August(PDF, 225KB) , September(PDF, 234KB) , October(PDF, 243KB) , November(PDF, 750KB) and December(PDF, 214KB)
Minutes: January(PDF, 86KB) , February(PDF, 51KB) , March(PDF, 52KB) , April, May(PDF, 62KB) , June(PDF, 138KB) , August, September(PDF, 164KB) , October(PDF, 163KB), November(PDF, 261KB) and December
Most Recent Spotlight Presentation: MT Angel Initiative 4.1.25(PDF, 746KB)
Spotlight Handouts 2025: MT Angel Initiative LCC(PDF, 65KB)
2023 General Meeting Agenda
January, February, March, April(PDF, 267KB) , May, June, July, August(PDF, 239KB) , September, October, November(PDF, 265KB) , December(PDF, 231KB)
2023 General Meeting Minutes
January(PDF, 265KB),February(PDF, 270KB),March(PDF, 218KB) ,April(PDF, 273KB),May(PDF, 260KB) ,June(PDF, 274KB) ,July,August(PDF, 222KB) ,September(PDF, 252KB) ,October(PDF, 283KB),November(PDF, 338KB) ,December(PDF, 252KB)
2023 Workgroups. Key Meeting Minutes and Logic Model
In order to better address the public behavioral health needs of Lewis and Clark County, the LCC BH LAC formed four priority workgroups, which were identified in the FY21 Strategic Planning process. FY21-FY24 extended Strategic Planning Priorities, Logic Models are referenced.
Communications: Awareness/Education #1 / 3-Year Logic Model FY21-FY23(PDF, 183KB)
BH Crisis and Cont. of Care; Improved Future BH Crisis Response and CoC-#2 / 3-Year Logic Model FY21-FY23(PDF, 111KB)
Legislative and Policy: Tri-County expansion #3 / 3-Year Logic Model FY21-FY23(PDF, 238KB)
Data and Dashboard: Public Access Dashboard #4 / 3-Year Logic Model FY21-FY23(PDF, 182KB)
Key Meeting Minutes:
Communications:
BH Crisis and Cont. of Care:
Legislative and Policy:
Data and Dashboard:
LAC Mission Statement
The purpose of the LAC is to assist in the improvement of Lewis and Clark County Public Health Behavioral Health (Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders) services and to review and make recommendations about behavioral health services to the Lewis and Clark Service Area Authorities (SAA).
Current board members in FY26: Jadin VanSteenvort, Chair, Erin Olson, Vice Chair, Kayleigh Brown, Past Chair
J. Jennings, BH System Improvement Specialist/LCPH and LCC BH LAC Representative - contact email: jjennings(at)lccountymt.gov
Behavioral Health Systems Improvement Leadership Team
Key county community stakeholders are leading the way to design and improve behavioral health crisis response and continuum of care in Lewis and Clark County. An integral partner collaboration with LCC BH Local Advisory Council.
Lewis and Clark County and the Behavioral Health (BH) Systems Improvement Leadership Team, in conjunction with JG Research and Analysis, have completed the Lewis and Clark County Behavioral Health Crisis System Analysis in August, 2021. Thank you to all of the Lewis and Clark County (LCC) BH Local Advisory Council providers who contributed to the data mapping and data analysis sharing to support this initiative over the past year. We hope the attached LCC BH Crisis System Analysis will be a resource to your organization to support and advise your behavioral health work today and into the years ahead in addition to advising legislation and developing sustainable funding.
The BH Systems Improvement Leadership Team next step will be using this analysis to drive our planning of a Crisis Stabilization Facility model that meets the needs and capacity of the county. We hope this extensive data analysis on our LCC Behavioral Health Crisis System will help the county move forward with data driven decisions on addressing the gaps in service and the identified substance abuse and mental health needs within our community.
J. Jennings, LCPH, Behavioral Health Systems Improvement Specialist
Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Crisis System Analysis 2021(PDF, 5MB)
FY25 Behavioral Health Crisis and Continuum of Care Infographic(PDF, 5MB) New data report in 2025!
Behavioral Health Leadership Team
Meeting Reference
Meeting day/time: Second Tuesday of Month at 4pm via Zoom. Contact LCPH Behavioral Health Systems Improvement Specialist for meeting information.
Key Meetings:
June 22, 2023 BHSI Leadership Team FY24 -FY25 Strategic Planning
January 10, 2023 Agenda: BH Crisis System: Key Goals: Partner Funding Support -Mobile Crisis Response & Crisis Facility
December 15, 2022 Public Comments letter submit to DPHHS in response to 12.8.22 Public Hearing of new Medicaid MCRT draft Policy#452 and proposed structure and fee rates in 1.2023.
August 2022- Crisis Receiving and Stabilization for a new Journey Home RFP opened. Proposals accepted through 9.27.22. Proposal review, interview process through December 2022.
August 9, 2022 - Agenda and Crisis Facility Key Goals Contact jjennings(at)lccountymt.gov for more information.
June 14, 2022 BHSI Leadership Team Crisis Planning Session Agenda
Behavioral Health and Crisis System Research, Planning and Resources
New Resources! Two Recovery Treatment Resource website links:
NEWLY Released! The Planning & Development of MT's Crisis System, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), September 2022. Prepared for MT DPHHS BHDD Division.
Planning for Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Facilities, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), August 2021 (A model planning report sponsored by AMDD in conjunction with MT Crisis Coordinators)
Special Report Presentation: LCC Behavioral Health Crisis System Report and Analysis by JG Research & Evaluation held on Tuesday, June 8th @4pm on Zoom.
Lewis and Clark Analysis of the Behavioral Health Crisis System first draft Presentation 6.8.21
Mapping of Behavioral Health Crisis Systems and Pathways in Helena area 11.20
Current LAC Info Brochure 2024(PDF, 1MB) download.
Visit MT211 for current BH resources.
(PDF, 168KB)
Resource Brochure 2019
(PDF, 9MB)Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Local Advisory Council Informational Brochure
Lewis and Clark County Mental Health Resource Guide, 2019
The Central Service Area Authority (CSAA) provided financial support to LAC for the development of:
NEW in 2022! LCC Behavioral Health LAC Informational Brochure
Mental Health Resource Guide FY20. Visit MT211 or NAMI Montana for updated local and statewide resources.
Targeted Mini-Grant funding to LAC Members
General Annual Funds for LAC Strategic Plan
Resilience Training
2025:Statewide Resilience Rising Training come to Helena: July 16th and 17th, 2025
Contact Hollin Buck at hollin@hmhb-mt.org
2023: LAC Resilience Activity - General Meeting on December 5, 2023. Identify ways to relax and recharge. Select one new activity you want to try from peer responses. Pair up to connect and support resilience in December-especially needed during holiday periods of higher stress.
2021: HeartMath Stress Resilience & Intelligent Energy Management Training was provided in FY21 at the height of the pandemic through a special SAMHSA COVID19 grant. Over 100 first responders in Lewis and Clark County received 4-hours each of this valuable resilience training! Thank you to our community partner, Dr. Chance Eaton of Big Sky Way, Helena MT.