Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH)
Montana REACH is a five-year program wherein MORH/AHEC is working alongside the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Fort Peck Tribes, Rocky Boy, and Montana DPHHS with the goal of elevating Indigenous health knowledge to reduce the burden of chronic disease. MT REACH is specifically working in areas of Nutrition, Food Rx, Physical Activity, and Family Healthy Weight.
REACH is a national program run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in chronic disease. This is the first time REACH has been implemented in Montana.
Montana REACH Focus Areas
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Nutrition strategies in MT REACH are focused on assessing the nutrition and food access landscape on each reservation and implementing HER guidelines at charitable food locations. MT REACH will also work towards a charitable food system in each community that can offer traditional foods. |
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MT REACH aims to initiate a Food Rx program wherein participants can receive a redeemable voucher for fresh produce from their provider in each community by the end of the five-year grant cycle. |
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MT REACH is working to improve the healthy way finding in a community of focus on each reservation through the Active Communities Tool. Current data suggests a strong need for safer routes on reservations across Montana as the pedestrian fatality rate is nearly double what is off reservations. |
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In partnership with the DPHHS Chronic Disease and Health Promotion Bureau, MT REACH will implement a chosen FHW curriculum in each community. Through MT REACH the chosen curriculum will be tailored to the individual needs of each community and ensure the program is culturally relevant. |
Montana REACH Partners
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
