Montana Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (MT REACH)
Montana REACH is a collaborative initiative between the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center, three Tribal Nations: the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, and the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy, and Montana DPHHS.
Through a direct subaward model, each Tribe leads implementation of selected strategies, ensuring strong local ownership, accountability, and culturally grounded solutions. This approach prioritizes practical, community-driven work that reflects the strengths of rural and Tribal communities.
Backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Montana REACH focuses on preventing chronic disease before it begins. By improving access to healthy foods, increasing opportunities for physical activity, and supporting families, the program aims to improve health outcomes while reducing long-term healthcare costs.
REACH is a national program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the aim to improve health and prevent chronic diseases in communities at highest risk for chronic disease. This is the first occasion REACH has been implemented in Montana.
Our Approach
Montana REACH is designed to work within existing systems and community priorities. Rather than creating new programs that require significant new infrastructure, the initiative focuses on strengthening and aligning what already exists.
Key principles include:
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Local leadership: Tribal Nations lead implementation and decision-making
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Practical solutions: Strategies are adapted to fit rural and frontier realities
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Efficiency: Efforts build on existing programs and resources
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Prevention-focused: Addressing chronic disease risk early to reduce long-term costs
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Sustainability: Prioritizing approaches that can be maintained beyond grant funding
Significant time and effort have been invested in adapting CDC-supported strategies to ensure they are feasible and effective in frontier and Tribal settings.
Focus Areas
Montana REACH supports improved access to healthy, affordable foods through practical, locally driven strategies.
Efforts include:
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Implementing culturally adapted food service guidelines in charitable food systems
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Supporting Tribal food sovereignty efforts and local food production
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Developing policies that ensure safe and sustainable food distribution
Progress and Impact
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Implemented Healthy Eating Research (HER) guidelines at the Ksanka (Standing Arrow) Food Pantry demonstration site
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Developed culturally appropriate nutrition messaging in Salish and Kootenai languages
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Working to advance new policies supporting safe and locally relevant food distribution, including distribution an preservation of locally grown produce
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Identified low-burden strategies that support healthier choices without increasing demands on volunteer-run food systems
Produce Rx connects healthcare and food systems by allowing providers to refer patients to receive fresh fruits and vegetables as part of their care.
Efforts include:
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Integration with Tribal Health services
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Locally grown produce through Tribal food programs
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Nutrition education and skill-building
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Plans to expand access year-round through partnerships and funding strategies
Progress and Impact
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Launched Produce Rx program in partnership with Tribal Health and the Food Sovereignty Program
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Initiated first participant cohort using a structured, 12-week model
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Aims to address chronic disease prevention, food insecurity, and behavioral health and recovery, supporting whole-person health
Montana REACH promotes active living by addressing real-world barriers to movement in rural communities.
Efforts include:
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Improving pedestrian safety
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Supporting community-driven infrastructure planning
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Implementing demonstration projects such as shade, seating, and safe walking routes
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Coordinating with Tribal planning and transportation initiatives
Progress and Impact
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Conducted walk audits and rural active living assessments to identify barriers to physical activity
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Identified key safety concerns including stray dogs, traffic speed, and lack of infrastructure
- Launched Sacred Walkways pedestrian safety campaign which has distributed high-visibility backpacks and lights to community members who frequently walk
- Pedestrian safety materials for both children and adults have been tailored to the community and are widely distributed at community events
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Aligned REACH efforts with Tribal planning and Safe Streets for All initiatives
Explore the walk audtis conducted by the Rocky Boy Health Center:
Family-centered programs support children and caregivers in building healthier lifestyles together.
Efforts include:
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MEND/Healthy Together classes offered at no cost
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Culturally adapted curriculum reflecting the community and rural considerations
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Local staff trained to deliver programming
Progess and Impact
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Launched culturally adapted MEND/Healthy Together program
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Trained additional staff to deliver the program locally
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Adapted curriculum to better fit community needs and improve relevance
Community Partners
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CSKT Food Sovereignty ProgramContact: Dana Hewankorn dana.hewankorn@cskt.org
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Rocky Boy Health CenterContacts: Mike Geboe mgeboe@rbclinic.org
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Spotted Bull Recovery Resource Center (Fort Peck)Contacts: Leena Sherman eleena.sherman@fortpecktribes.net, Bethany Fatupaito bfatupaito@allysonkelleypllc.com
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Montana Department of Public Health & Human ServicesContact: Jessica Kechely jessica.kechely@mt.gov |
Landscape Assessments
Landscape assessments focus on the physical and social environment surrounding a community and how it impacts the health of its residents.
During Summer 2024, each REACH community partner survey their community to gather information on what would most increase physical activity and nutrition. Those responses along with more information about each focus area, including pertinent historical and geographic context can be found in landscape assessment. This assessment is a living document, currently in Draft #2.
Outline of findings from CSKT.
Outline of findings from Rocky Boy.
Outline of findings from Fort Peck.
The Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center (MORH/AHEC) holds
our staff to high standards when working with Tribes in Montana. Tribal Nations are
sovereign governments with an inherent right to self-determination. Working in partnership
with Tribes requires understanding the history of the government-to-government relationship
Tribal Nations hold with the US government and approaching partnerships with respect
and appreciation for the diversity across Tribes.
