Montana’s Rural Health Initiative (RHI) is a local health and wellness resource center. The mission of RHI is to create a dynamic network linking prevention and community-based wellness programs throughout Montana to stimulate a higher level of wellness across the state.

RHI showcases local wellness initiatives and projects, provides evidence-based program ideas, and hosts monthly health and wellness webinars. When possible, offer Incubator Mini-Grants to assist community projects that align with one of the three focus areas, Healthy Eating, Active Living, or Clinical and Community Preventive Services.

Objectives

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1. Create and maintain a highly interactive website that includes:

  • Details of local prevention and community-based wellness programs
  • Resources for the focus areas of Healthy Eating, Active Living, and Clinical and Community Preventive Services.
  • Calendar of events
  • Links to state and national prevention and wellness resources
    http://www.montanaruralhealthinitiative.info/
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2 .Encourage networking and collaboration by communicating with RHI website members via a listserv and e-newsletter.
Sign up for our listserv!
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3. Strengthen local efforts to encourage healthy lifestyle choices and create prevention-focused communities by linking the expertise of Montanans to communities in need of assistance. Consider mechanisms to jump start new and support ongoing local prevention and wellness programs.
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4. Provide educational programs, including webinars, designed to increase the capacity of local communities to provide prevention and
wellness programs.
Explore past webinars.


In February 2008, RHI partners convened a meeting of stakeholders including community members, academics, local government officials, health care providers, public health workers, Tribal Health Department representatives and nonprofit organizations, among others, to discuss the potential for a coordinated, collaborative approach to prevention and wellness in Montana.  Community leaders and experts developed a strategy to improve health in Montana by linking community health initiatives to each other as well as to the expertise that already exists in the state.  The three resource focus areas are Healthy Eating, Active Living, and Clinical and Community Preventive Services.