Email mistake reveals secret plans to end research on Head Start and other child safety net programs
Montana has 22 Head Start and Early Head Start programs across roughly 20 locations serve over 3,000 children designed to address the unique needs of the communities they serve. According to a spreadsheet mistakenly made public this week the Trump administration plans to terminate dozens of university grants studying improvements to Head Start and childcare policy.
Montana AG leads 17 states in challenge against DEI training
Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a coalition of 17 states in a legal challenge against Diversity Equity and Inclusion training programs. They’re urging the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court’s dismissal of claims by former Colorado correctional officer Joshua Young who says the DEI training forced on correctional employees at that state’s Department of Corrections creates a hostile work environment for the races singled out for negativity.
TSA reminds Montanans that REAL ID enforcement begins May 7th
Starting next Wednesday every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need to have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued drivers license or another acceptable form of ID to board a U.S. commercial aircraft. Congress passed The REAL ID Act in 2005 and Montana began issuing REAL ID-compliant credentials in January 2019.
Montana Lawmakers Approve Revamping State Behavioral Health System
In the just concluded legislative session lawmakers backed the bulk of Governor Greg Gianforte’s multimillion-dollar vision to bolster and expand the state’s behavioral health care system. They agreed to build a new mental health facility in eastern Montana add more beds at existing state facilities and fund more crisis beds in communities. They also decided to revise some civil and criminal commitment procedures and reimburse counties when criminal defendants ordered to state facilities are held in county jails.
Montanans awarded for their work in child welfare and family services
22 Montanans and 2 organizations who are dedicated to supporting Montana children and families were honored at a conference Thursday. The annual Montana Pre
vent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference was sponsored by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. This year’s theme was “Building Bridges Empowering Futures.
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After being held by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for nearly a week a Venezuelan man who was detained in Whitefish and sent to an out-of-state facility has been released with no explanation. He spent at least four nights in the ICE detention center in Tacoma Washington before being told he could leave with no further explanation about his detainment.
Bitterroot Health will launch a second cohort of its “earn while you learn” program June 2nd as a fast-track to entering a career as a medical assistant. Apprentices will learn in both classroom and clinic settings during the 13-week full-time training program. Students must pass the National Healthcareer Association Medical Assistant certification test at the end of the course to receive certification.
Conservative groups who have successfully backed legislation in six states this year to ban foreign funding of ballot initiatives are asking Governor Greg Gianforte to veto House Bill 818. They say it lacks the same strong protections against foreign funding of ballot measures other states passed.
Gallatin County has approved $1 million for 13 open-land projects from Belgrade to Big Sky enhancing and developing public use areas including a new mountain bike park and improved river access sites. These funds come from the 2018 voter-approved county Open Space Levy which will generate $4.36 million in 2025 and is also used to fund conservation easements
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry in partnership with the Fort Belknap Tribal Employment Rights Office are celebrating the success of the Workforce Expo held this week in Harlem. The event welcomed 444 students from 8 middle and high schools connecting them with hands-on career exploration practical skills training and local employment opportunities.
