Frequently Asked Questions

As the parent or caregiver of a young child, you become responsible for finding a lot of information about what your family needs in a short amount of time. The LIFTS Online Resource Guide was designed so that you can search for resources you need in your area quickly and easily. The services include everything from child care to mental health providers and are organized in categories that are useful to families with children under age three. And the events listed are family-friendly options to help you connect to other members of your community.

The LIFTS Magazine is our way of reaching families around the state who are raising young children. LIFTS Magazine features stories about when help was helpful. We hope that parents and caregivers will connect with the stories, learn more about the resources they may find helpful, and feel empowered to ask for help when they need it.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies subcontracted with 18 organizations around the state to collect this data, including early childhood coalitions, public health departments, and other nonprofits serving young children. All of the organizations created lists of the services and events available in their local community during Summer 2021, which they provided to HMHB for inclusion in the database. In return, they received a mini-grant to strengthen early childhood systems in their communities.

Currently, the LIFTS Online Guide contains data for all 56 counties and 7 reservations. The website is designed so that users can easily set their location and filter by county or reservation to find the services and events located nearest to them.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies does not endorse any specific providers on this website. The lists are intended to be comprehensive and we will continue to accept new submissions of services or events that were not included in the initial collection process. These lists are not reviewed against databases from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, for example, the Board of Behavioral Health.

It is not guaranteed that all of the providers on this list will be able to provide care immediately or at all. The website does not include information regarding the availability of providers or eligibility for different programs. We recommend reaching out to the service directly to get the most up-to-date information.

The website does not include information about the types of insurance accepted by each provider. We recommend reaching out to the service directly to get the most up-to-date information.

An event is marked as an alcohol-free zone if the event is either alcohol-free or has a designated area for the consumption of alcohol. We hope this helps families with individuals in recovery find communal spaces where they can all feel comfortable.

The information found on LIFTS was initially uploaded in August 2021. Since then, new services and events have been added, while others have been updated based on feedback. On each page, you can find a “Last Updated” date in the top right corner.

Please let us know if you find missing or outdated information! At the bottom of each detail page, you will find a button to “Leave Feedback.”

Once you fill out the form, we will receive an email with the new information. Be sure to include your email address in case we have any follow-up questions.

A vetted resource guide is a list of providers that have been found to be meet a minimum criterion of experience and training in working with a certain population. Vetted resource guides are helpful in making appropriate referrals for patients and clients and help perinatal mental health professional communicate their specialties.

On LIFTS, we highlight perinatal-specific vetted resource guides from around Montana including those from Helena, Gallatin County, and Flathead Valley. Please visit HMHB’s website for more information on the Vetted Resources Guides, including a tool kit to assist groups in building a list in their own communities.

In 2018, Postpartum Support International (PSI) created the Perinatal Mental Health Certification Program and began offering a specialized certification for mental health providers who specialize in perinatal care. Those who earn the Perinatal Mental Health Certification, or PMH-C, have met a standard of experience, training and testing and are required to continue their education on perinatal mental health.

On LIFTS, we highlight PMH-C as a way to help providers and families to make the best connections to services that are appropriate for their needs. Please visit PSI for more information on the PMH-C.

The list of services and events is organized based on your location so that you can find information on resources closest to you. When you first visit the website, you may be prompted by your internet browser to “Allow Location” which will automatically set your location in the top right corner. You can also change this manually by clicking the “My Location” button at the top right of the page and entering the city or zip code closest to you. This website only includes resources from the state of Montana, so if you select an out-of-state address then no services or events will be shown.

The service types were created to organize the most common resources for parents of children aged zero to three. There are 31 categories, as well as an “Other” category. Some organizations may include several programs that fall under different service types, so they may appear multiple times during your search. If you want to understand what is included in the service type, you can hover over the service type name with your mouse in a list of results, or find a description on the service detail page, under “Services Offered.”

If you are unable to find the resource you need while searching through the website, consider giving our anonymous warmline a call at 406-430-9100. A member of the HMHB team will answer between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm from Monday through Friday. You can also leave a voicemail and they will return your call within 1-2 business days. If you are in crisis, please call 911 for immediate service.

To quickly search for a service or event, first navigate to a "Services" or "Events" page using a link at the top of the page, then refine your search using the "Search" bar.

Results will appear as you type in your keywords -- you can add additional terms to narrow your search, including a city or contact name. Once you’ve found the result you want, you can click on the organization or event name which will take you to the detail page.

Each results page has the ability to filter your search by certain categories. On the services page, you can filter by service type, county/reservation, or by distance from your location. On the events page, you can filter by event category, county/reservation, or by distance from your location. Every time you select a filter, the list will update to show new results. You can easily switch between filters or even remove filters. Keep in mind that all results are sorted by the distance from the location set in the top right corner. If you add a county or reservation filter for elsewhere in the state, the result will still display the distance from your current location.

Do you offer a service for families prenatal through age 3? List it in our guide by clicking on the Submit a Service button located on the bottom of each page.

LIFTS is searchable by 31 different service types. These service type categories are designed to help people easily find the supports and services families and caregivers need. Please keep in mind that there can be overlap among the service types. Please choose all service types that may apply to each program.

We also encourage a thorough description of your organization, program(s), and the services you provide. This gives families and other providers a good understanding of what you offer and sets you apart from other similar services. Because LIFTS is completely searchable, we encourage you to use words families may search for.

Are you hosting a family-friendly event or do you know of one in your community? List it in our guide by clicking on the Submit an Event button located on the bottom of each page.

Events listed may include classes, lectures, community, cultural, movies, music and arts, outdoor, physical activity, sports and recreation and many other events.

Support for building infant and toddlers’ abilities to handle emotions and nurture relationships

Local classes for expecting and new families

Trained experts who assist in car seat installation, also known as Child Passenger Safety Technicians

Medical providers for prenatal, labor and care after birth

Child care referral and financial assistance near you

Screening and assistance from early childhood specialists

Dental care for moms and children covered by Medicaid

Safe and confidential services for people experiencing violence

Trained professionals providing support before, during, and after childbirth

Services for reproductive and sexual health

General medical care for patients of all ages

Programs to build parenting skills, including In-home services

Supplemental food services, food banks and financial assistance for groceries

Assistance with finding and keeping housing, including Section 8

Advice and support for breastfeeding

Eligibility and enrollment assistance for health insurance

Opioid use treatment that combines the use of medication with counseling and behavioral therapies

Counselors, therapists and other supports for mental wellbeing

Services and classes that promote connection to Native American Culture

Medical providers for prenatal, labor and women's health care

Supportive services for families, caregivers and children

Medical providers specializing in children from birth to age 18

Trained providers with lived experience of mental health conditions

Places to play with children

Medical providers focused on diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders who can that can prescribe medication

Eligibility and enrollment for public assistance for SNAP, TANF and WIC

Local resources for books, internet access and community activities

Medical and mental health care in schools

Providers specialized in treating addiction and unhealthy substance use

Diapers, wipes, or other baby essentials from local organizations

Social and therapeutic groups to build connection with others