In our final episode of this season's "Session Voices" series, we talk (again) with Mary Collins, of UM's Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development. Mary talks about the many steps left to codify and implement new policies, now that the session has ended, and the ways in which communities can work together to implement these changes. We discuss the power of local coalitions, particularly Early Childhood Coalitions (ECC's) -- what they are, why they exist, and how you can get involved in one in your own community (or help create one).

Guest Bio:

Mary Collins has worked in a variety of social service settings where she provided counseling, advocacy, and supportive services to children, adolescents, and adults. She worked for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) in a variety of leadership positions focused on improving Montana’s behavioral health system. In her role at the Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development, Mary works to support Montana's early childhood system. Her efforts are targeted at bolstering the capacity of Montana's Early Childhood Coalitions to support community-driven systems change.

mary.collins@mso.umt.edu

Organizations/resources mentioned in this episode:

The Montana Early Childhood Coalition: https://hmhb-mt.org/mtecc/

UM's Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development: https://www.umt.edu/ccfwd/

Zero to Five Montana: https://zerotofive.org/

To contact your federal representatives: https://mt.gov/govt/congressional_delegation

"Session Voices" was hosted and produced by Emily Freeman, with music by Caroline Keys.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

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For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, please visit LIFTS ( Linking Infants and Families to Supports) at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

In this episode we chat with Jackie Mohler, Executive Director of Family Outreach. Jackie discusses her legislative work on behalf of Montanans living with disabilities, and the ways in which engagement can -- and should -- continue after the session ends.

Guest Bio:

Jackie Mohler is Executive Director for Family Outreach Inc., a Montana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports people with developmental disabilities and their families. She has earned a Master of Education degree from MSU Billings, specializing in Special Education with Advanced Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis. Jackie is a mother of two children diagnosed with learning disabilities who have greatly benefitted from developmental support services and these issues are very close to her heart. She brings over 25 years of experience working in the human services field in both direct support and management roles. As president of the Montana Association for Behavior Analysis in 2017, Jackie worked with colleagues and lawmakers to develop legislation creating a framework for behavior analyst licensure in the state of Montana. Jackie is a Licensed Behavior Analyst and serves as Vice Chair for the Montana Board of Psychologists. In 2020, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities selected her as an Emerging Leader, recognizing her commitment to civil rights and social justice. She continues to provide professional guidance to lawmakers concerning developmental disability services, interventions, and treatments.

Organizations/resources mentioned in this episode:

Family Outreach: https://familyoutreach.org/

Behavioral Health System for Future Generations: https://dphhs.mt.gov/FutureGenerations/Index

Behavior Analyst Licensure Information (MT Department of Labor and Industry): https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/psychologists/license-information/behavior-analyst

Montana Association of Community Disability Services: https://mtacds.com/

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, please visit LIFTS ( Linking Infants and Families to Supports) at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/

In this episode of Session Voices, we speak with Dillon Sarb, a community organizer with Catalyst Montana. Dillon will help us to better understand the role played by community organizers in the political ecosystem, and share a little bit about a creative and impactful storytelling project centered around Medicaid expansion.

Catalyst Montana: https://www.catalystmt.org/

Montana Medicaid Storybook: https://www.catalystmt.org/community/montana-medicaid-storybook

Guest Bio:

Dillon Sarb, originally from Billings, Montana, now resides in Missoula. He earned a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Montana, where he also studied German. Dillon’s passion for politics, particularly in how it intersects with helping people, led him to start working in the field in 2022 as a field coordinator for state legislative races. This experience gave him insight into the diverse ways people, both urban and rural, engage with politics.

In 2023, Dillon transitioned to tracking state legislation, further deepening his understanding of how politics shapes policy. He has since worked on various political campaigns, including a local mayoral race and as a field director for labor unions in Montana. Each role has expanded his understanding of how communities across the state approach politics.

Currently, Dillon works at Catalyst Montana, where he organizes around healthcare and economic justice issues. His diverse experiences in connecting with people from all walks of life enable him to effectively communicate and mobilize individuals for common causes, such as Medicaid Expansion.

Connect with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

For statewide resources to support Montana families in the 0-3 years of parenting, please visit LIFTS ( Linking Infants and Families to Supports) at
https://hmhb-lifts.org/