WMMHC embarks on a new era
Western Montana Mental Health Center makes changes to better meet the needs of the Montana community
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MISSOULA — As the nation continues to see a shift in funding for mental health services, Western Montana Mental Health Center embarks on significant changes to better provide and meet the integral need for mental health care in Montana. With the goal of meeting patients exactly where they’re at, these upcoming transitions – including the recent departure of Chief Executive Officer, Levi Anderson – will allow WMMHC to not only continue to provide individual, person-centered care, but to do so in an even more impactful way.
“While we recognize that change can feel daunting and even uncertain at times, it is with a unified voice that we are stepping into a new and exciting era for WMMHC,” said Colleen Rudio, Interim Executive Administrator at WMMHC. “The entire WMMHC team has worked hard to build the organization into the state’s leading model for community behavioral health, and, together, we will continue to build upon that legacy – working toward increasing funding for client services, developing forward-thinking care programs, and establishing relationships in new communities.”
Since 2017, the cost of service delivery has increased significantly for many health centers across the state – an increase that is further compounded by the complexity of needs that many mental health clients face, such as homelessness. Alongside Colleen and her team at Cascadia Management Group, a regional consulting firm and ongoing partner of WMMHC, the Western Montana leadership team is working diligently to confront rising costs through the allocation of existing resources and rebuilding of programs and partnerships to better meet service objectives.
In addition to a transition in leadership, WMMHC has made the strategic decision to shift its residential substance abuse program for adults from a “3.5 high-intensity” care facility into a “3.1 low-intensity” care facility. While both models provide 24-hour comprehensive care, this new designation at the Recovery Center of Missoula will enable WMMHC to meet the growing need for these types of services in the area, while also empowering clients to gain employment, develop community-based support, and form healthy community relationships – all with the result of a smoother transition back into their lives.
“As the organization assesses each community’s needs over the next few months, we remain centered by the fact that WMMHC’s success has never been rooted in circumstance, but rather by the individual care and dedication that each of our employees provides to those we serve,” said Colleen. “And that’s not going to change! As we move ahead, our goal is to remain open and transparent – creating a true relationship with the communities we serve and allowing WMMHC to better meet the evolving need for mental health care in Montana.”
With approximately 50 service locations, WMMHC remains steadfast in offering comprehensive health services and housing options to people of all ages facing mental health and substance use disorders. For a full list of patient programs and service locations, visit wmmhc.org.
