Interim study of youth and family behavioral health prevention

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A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF YOUTH AND FAMILY PREVENTION PROGRAMS
FOCUSED ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN MONTANA; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF
THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and other federal
agencies historically have awarded competitive prevention grants to Montana behavioral health programs, but
national prevention funding is in decline, and the long-term sustainability and coordination to those programs
remain unclear; and
WHEREAS, the rapid pace and evolving nature of changes in Montana's publicly funded behavioral
health prevention efforts in recent years warrant a close examination of the state's behavioral health care
system by its policymakers; and
WHEREAS, the availability and coordination of prevention programs serving youth and families have
changed over time without a clear statewide strategy or unified oversight body; and
WHEREAS, youth and families at risk of substance use and behavioral health challenges encounter
multiple, often uncoordinated systems, including schools, child welfare, emergency rooms, law enforcement,
and juvenile justice, before receiving appropriate interventions or treatment; and
WHEREAS, all stakeholders have a strong interest in preventing substance use, mental health
conditions, and family crises before they occur through early intervention and coordinated community support;
and
WHEREAS, prevention refers to proactive, research-proven programs that reduce the likelihood of
Montanans' experiencing symptoms or negative effects related to behavioral health conditions; and
WHEREAS, schools, tribal communities, public health departments, and nonprofits provide youth
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prevention programing to address both mental health and substance use; and
WHEREAS, the use of technology and virtual platforms to deliver prevention programs has expanded
in recent years; and
WHEREAS, as a citizen legislature, the Montana Legislature and its members are particularly attuned
to the unique needs of our state and its dynamic composition of urban, rural, and tribal communities; and
WHEREAS, the Montana Legislature routinely invests in prevention efforts for youth, including school-
based mental health programs, suicide prevention initiatives, mental health screening tools, public awareness
campaigns, and evidence-based programs, such as the PAX Good Behavior Game and Youth Awareness of
Mental Health, and by expanding access to youth support services and fostering partnerships among agencies,
schools, and communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory
committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, to undertake a comprehensive review of the elements of
Montana's behavioral health prevention programs, including systems serving youth and families, to:
(1) outline current and projected funding of prevention efforts, detailing the federal, state, local,
and private funding streams;
(2) study how the prevention system helps divert youth and families from substance abuse
treatment, mental health crises, emergency room visits, school dropouts, and involvement with the criminal
justice system;
(3) assess the adequacy of the state's system of higher education to appropriately train and
educate prevention specialists and other necessary behavioral health and community service providers to meet
the prevention needs of Montanans;
(4) identify where gaps exist in the state's behavioral health system; and
(5) determine whether the Legislature or the Executive Branch is best poised to bridge system
gaps.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the interim committee or statutory committee:
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(1) collaborate with the Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Office of Public
Instruction, the Montana University System, including its state universities and community and tribal colleges,
tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, faith-based institutions, and other relevant stakeholders in
examining primary prevention efforts for youth in Montana;
(2) conduct a statewide inventory to gather information about primary prevention programs
currently implemented at the state, local, and tribal levels that serve youth under 18 years of age, including
school-based, health-based, community-based, faith-based, and mentorship initiatives;
(3) identify all existing funding streams for primary prevention efforts for youth in Montana,
including federal, state, local, and private sources, and evaluate how these funds are utilized, coordinated, or
siloed;
(4) map the current prevention workforce involved in youth-serving systems, including
professionals from education, behavioral health, child welfare, mentoring programs, health care, and
community coalitions;
(5) examine the various settings in which prevention efforts are delivered, such as schools, health
care systems, community-based organizations, tribal nations, and faith-based groups, to assess integration,
reach, and areas for potential alignment;
(6) provide an overview of evidence-based, culturally responsive, and promising primary
prevention practices that have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing substance use, mental health, and
adverse childhood experiences for youth;
(7) utilize available data, including the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Prevention Needs
Assessment, data on adverse childhood experiences, and any other available data sets and information, to
assess risk and protective factors affecting Montana youth and to identify trends over time;
(8) determine whether capturing a snapshot view or conducting a longitudinal analysis would serve
as the best tool to track outcomes and measure the long-term effectiveness and return on investment of
prevention strategies;
(9) examine how other states and jurisdictions have implemented coordinated prevention
infrastructures or strategic frameworks, and determine whether aspects of those models should be adapted for
Montana;
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(10) evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of Montana’s current prevention efforts, including both
duplication of and gaps in services, and opportunities for innovation and streamlined implementation; and
(11) provide recommendations for developing a unified, data-driven strategic plan for Montana’s
prevention infrastructure, including estimated costs, implementation timelines, and proposed mechanisms for
oversight, coordination, and accountability.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review
requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2026.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions,
comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 70th Legislature.
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I hereby certify that the within bill,
SJ 49, originated in the Senate.
___________________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 49
INTRODUCED BY M. YAKAWICH, D. FERN, D. LENZ
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF YOUTH AND FAMILY PREVENTION PROGRAMS
FOCUSED ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN MONTANA; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE
STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE.