August 9 - Pre-Conference Meetings & GBGF Evening Social at the Helena Great Northern Hotel

Pre-Conference Meetings:
*Note - Anyone attending these program-specific meetings will need to register.  Please click on the registration link to sign-up (even if you don't plan to attend the GBGF Conference).

8:00am - 4:30pm - Montana Milestones Part C only - The Part C Leadership Team will meet from 8:00 - 9:30am followed by all Part C Teams at 10:00am - 4:30pm. Elation will provide a 5-hour workshop consisting of both content presentations and interactive small group sessions.

9:00am - 4:00pm - Healthy Montana Families Home Visiting Program Meeting only - This meeting will be held in-person. The purpose of this meeting is to bring the HMF team together to share updates, network, and learn from one another. There will also be an afternoon training opportunity. For more information, email hmf@mt.gov.

1:00 - 4:00pm - Children Special Health Services Stakeholders, Partners and Contractors only - The purpose of this virtual meeting is to share updates and program information, network and identify collaborative opportunities to improve the system of care for children and youth with special health needs in Montana. For more details, email CSHS@mt.gov  

GBGF Evening Social:
5:00 - 6:00pm Evening Social - Great Northern Ballroom - GBGF attendees will enjoy an evening of socializing with colleagues & presenters (hors d'oeuvres & a cash bar will be available).

August 10 - GBGF Conference - In-Person at the Great Northern Hotel & Via Zoom

Scroll down to view session descriptions, speaker bios, and recorded breakout sessions.

*Note - These session recordings will be available to those who register for the conference.  A special link will be distributed via email.  Please email the conference coordinator, Michelle Eckert with questions.

Printable Agenda     Continuing Education & Disclosure page

Keynote - Representing Seven Generations - The Impact of Unresolved Trauma on American Indian Health Equity

Jim Warne, M.S, Warrior Society Development, LLC and WSD Productions; University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities Oyáte Circle, Sanford School of Medicine

"Impact of Unresolved Trauma on American Indian Health Equity".  Issues of Intergenerational and Historical Trauma impact(s) for contemporary service provision for “Indian Country”.  Health Equity with an Indigenous Foundation Balance Model is key for interaction and successful outcomes.

Jim Warne is a member of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Nation. His mom, Beverly, grew up on Pine Ridge and is an administrator for South Dakota State University College of Nursing, his dad, Jim Sr. worked in international business finance. His brother Don Warne, MD, is Chair of INMED at the University of North Dakota. Jim earned a BS from Arizona State University and an MS from San Diego State University (SDSU). Jim created and administered continuing Ed programs at SDSU Interwork Institute from 1993-2015 and he has written nearly 40 million in grants and contracts for various Universities and Tribal Nations.

Currently, Jim is the Community Engagement and Diversity Director at the University of South Dakota (USD) Center for Disabilities, Oyate` Circle at Sanford School of Medicine. He is also a Pediatrics Instructor for USD. Jim wrote several grants for the University of South Dakota to establish the Oyate` Circle, including Sinte Gleska University to establish a Tribal College Disability Center.

Jim is the President of his consulting firm Warrior Society Development, LLC. He works with various government agencies, organizations, and Tribal Nations. Jim is contracted with the University of Arizona for 2020 program development. Jim is a motivational speaker and has experience with Indian Country Advocacy, Congressional Testimonies, Cultural Diversity, Film Production, Acting, Stunts, Professional Football, Youth Athletic/Life Skills Camps, Grant Writing, and Organizational Development. His WSD Productions Film Division produced “7th Generation” an Award-Winning documentary. Jim produced and wrote the film based on his lectures and teachings as an educator, advocate, and public speaker.

Keynote - Virtual - Partnering with Families and Honoring Cultures for Children’s Flourishing

Dr. Joshua Sparrow, M.D., DFAACAP, Executive Director of the Brazelton Touchpoints Center; Associate Clinical Professor at Boston Children's Hospital

In this talk, Dr. Sparrow will share some of the strategies and tools from the Touchpoints Approach to build strong partnerships with families and honor their cultures to promote children’s flourishing. He will describe some of the common challenges that can arise as families and professionals share the care of children while bridging cultures. Children’s development moves through predictable ups and downs, and as they grow up, they can grow us up too.

Dr. Joshua Sparrow leads the Brazelton Touchpoints Center (BTC) in the Division of Developmental Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and is an associate professor in psychiatry part-time at Harvard Medical School. Across the U.S., in sovereign Tribal Nations, and in many other countries, BTC provides professional, leadership, and organizational development, as well as research and evaluation services and innovative tools and webinars for parents, pediatricians, early childhood educators, home visitors, child welfare workers, infant and parent mental health clinicians, and children's libraries and museums staff. BTC is home to in-person and virtual trainings and workshops including the evidence-based Touchpoints Approach and Parenting Curriculum, as well as Beyond Trauma-Informed Care, From Challenging to Trust-Building Conversations, Child Behaviors that Challenge, the Developmental Journey Conversation Tool, Everyone’s Mental Health, Family to Family Real Talk, Family Connections Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Training, the Indigenous Early Learning Collaborative, Learning to Listen, the National Substance Use Disorder Summit, Supporting Father Involvement, and the Brazelton Institute (the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale and the Newborn Behavioral Observation).  www.brazeltontouchpoints.org

Since 2001, BTC has collaborated with American Indian/Alaskan Native Early Head Start, Head Start and Child Care programs, early childhood education departments in Tribal Colleges and Universities in partnership with the American Indian College Fund, and has offered a leadership development program for Native American leaders in early childhood education. BTC’s Research and Evaluation Unit has served as an evaluator for numerous U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration Tribal Project LAUNCH grantees, and as a subcontractor for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF)-funded Tribal MIECHV, as well as the ACF-funded Tribal Research Center, based at the Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health of the Colorado School of Public Health, at the University of Colorado, Denver. Most recently, with funding from the Kellogg Foundation, BTC has launched the Indigenous Early Learning Collaborative, bringing Native communities together to self-determine their most pressing questions and the methods they choose to answer them.

Keynote - Leading with Courage

Chantel Schieffer, President & CEO of Leadership Montana

The past few years have brought us many opportunities to lean into the courage to lead through challenging times. In this interactive session, we will discover how to build more courage to lead at work, at home, and in our communities. Based on the research of Dr. Brene Brown, we will show that courage is teachable, measurable, and observable.

Chantel Schieffer is the President and CEO of Leadership Montana, the premier leadership development program in the state.

“Work hard, do good, and be kind” has been her motto over the past twenty-five years while making a career of building better communities through public service, private industry, and non-profit organizations.

A lifelong Montanan, Chantel knows the power of bringing people together in collaboration to advance our treasured state. Her passion for community extends to her volunteer work as she has served too many statewide and local organizations to name.

A student of leadership, Chantel is a graduate of Leadership Montana’s Class of 2010 and the inaugural Masters Class of 2019. She also currently serves as International Vice President for Alpha Omicron Pi women’s fraternity and was honored internationally with the Alpha Omicron Pi Woman of Leadership Award in 2017 and in 2018 received the prestigious ATHENA Leadership Award. Chantel is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, trained by Dr. Brené Brown in 2019, and also a certified Gracious Space facilitator.

Recorded Breakout Track Sessions

We are excited to offer breakout session topics in the areas of Data to Action, Family Wellness and Support, Healthy Children and Youth, Nutrition, and Quality Improvement & Leadership.  The recorded video links (and any handouts/resources) will be posted on August 10 and will be available for extended viewing through October 10, 2022.

*Note - CE contact hours are not available for these sessions.

*Note - These session recordings will be available to those who register for the conference.  A special link will be distributed via email.  Please email the conference coordinator, Michelle Eckert with questions.

Data to Action

Montana Children’s Health Data Dashboard
Presenter: Xanna Burg, Director of KIDS COUNT        

A group of early childhood leaders and stakeholders have worked over the last five years to choose 10 common measures that track the health and well-being of young children. Montana KIDS COUNT has compiled county-level data for available shared measures and data can be accessed on the Montana Children’s Health Data Dashboard- https://montanakidscount.org/montana-childrens-health-data-dashboard. Join this session to learn more about each of the measures, how to find data for your community on the dashboard, and examples of how to use this data to set goals and measure progress.

Xanna Burg (she/her) directs the efforts of KIDS COUNT in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. She compiles hundreds of data points related to children’s well-being and provides in-depth research on key topics across the three states. She shares her passion for data with partners to inform recommendations for policy solutions that better support children and families.  She has a background in public health and experience working across various sectors to improve the health of children. She started her career implementing nutrition education programs in communities before pursuing a graduate degree in epidemiology and transitioning to research and evaluation. Before joining MBPC, Xanna worked as a Data Analyst for the Colorado WIC program, where she used administrative data to evaluate the impact of WIC for Colorado families. Xanna has a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the Colorado School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition.

Family Wellness & Support

The Empaths Perinatal Substance Use Pilot Study
Presenters: Stephanie Fitch, MHA, MS, LAC; Sarah Reese, PhD; and Valerie LofGren, BS, ACLC

Empaths is a healthcare system-level treatment model in which universal screening for substance use in pregnancy is implemented in the OB/GYN and primary care settings. Patients screening positive for substance use disorder (SUD) and/or perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) concerns are referred to a centralized care manager who conducts Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) sessions via live and telehealth appointments. Patients get connected to appropriate behavioral health treatment services as well as peer and community support programming to promote healthy outcomes for moms and babies. 18 months of data indicate that universal screening for substance use in the OB/GYN and primary care settings where perinatal patients receive care is an effective practice in identifying at-risk patients and connecting them to appropriate resources. A centralized care management program offered via telehealth is a feasible model in rural Montana with scalability potential in both size and scope. Due to the success and other findings of the Empaths pilot study, the MOMS team will be expanding Empaths to screen for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and suicide severity risk.  

Stephanie Fitch, MHA, MS, LAC attended Montana State University Billings where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. She completed a master’s in Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management through Colorado State University Global in November 2020. Stephanie has been a licensed addiction counselor (LAC) in the state of Montana since 2016 and utilized that license to provide inpatient, outpatient, and utilization review counseling at Rimrock Foundation prior to accepting a position with Billings Clinic in January 2020. Stephanie manages all MOMS Demonstration Project activities including simulation trainings, Project ECHO, certification courses, telehealth services, and perinatal/postpartum substance abuse and mental health programming.

Sarah Reese, PhD, LCSW is an assistant professor in the University of Montana School of Social Work. Broadly, her research and teaching focus on community-based social work interventions to promote child and family well-being, with a specific focus on behavioral interventions for perinatal substance use disorder. Dr. Reese’s research interests include Child and family well-being, perinatal health, intervention research, integrative behavioral health, and mindfulness. Prior to moving to Montana, Dr. Reese taught at the University of Utah.

Valerie LofGren, BS, ACLC is the MOMS Montana Obstetrics & Maternal Support Regional engagement coordinator. Valerie began her career as a CNA at Roundup Memorial Hospital in 2008. She then moved to Billings and started her journey working with people in recovery at Rimrock Foundation in 2011. Over her 10.5 years with Rimrock, she served in numerous roles with her favorite being her case management work at Michel’s House and Willow Way assisting mothers and their children. She completed her bachelor's degree in the Psychology of Addictions through Purdue Global in August of 2020 and transitioned into work as a women’s residential counselor at that time. Valerie joined the Billings Clinic team in December 2021 as the MOMS Regional Engagement Coordinator; she is tasked with expanding the Empaths perinatal substance use program and managing social media and other marketing efforts for the MOMS demonstration project.

Be the Behavior Detective
Presenter: Louisa Libertelli-Dunn, Director of Operations, Peace Place

The most challenging aspect of behaviors is determining the why's. This presentation will help you become the behavior detective and determine the why's. The function of behavior will assist in setting up the best and most positive behavioral system.

Louisa Libertelli-Dunn is our new Director of Operations. She also provides support for parents over the summer related to school readiness and social skills acquisition. She comes to us from New York City – Queens Borough, where she was born and raised. Louisa joined our staff in January 2019 and helped develop our new training programs. Louisa graduated from St. John’s University with both bachelor's and master's degrees in special education and has thirty years of experience working with babies, children, and adults with differences, most recently at Life’s WORC in Long Island, NY. She has extensive experience with behavior plans and IEP preparation and implementation. 

Montana Legal Aid and Improving Health Outcomes
Presenters: Jami Campbell & Megan Dishong, Montana Legal Services Association 

Partnerships between healthcare providers and legal aid organizations have been shown to improve outcomes for patients. This presentation will introduce MLSA and civil legal aid in Montana as well as the role legal aid can play in improving the outcomes of patients and clients in Montana.

Jami Campbell joined MLSA in August 2021 as the Pro Bono Assistant. She currently works as the Community Outreach Coordinator. In her current role, Jami works to increase awareness of MLSA services and create community partnerships statewide.

Megan Dishong joined MLSA in 2020 as the Medical-Legal Partnership attorney in partnership with Providence St. Patrick's Hospital. Ms. Dishong graduated from the University of Montana School of Law in 2007.

Linking Infants and Families to Supports (LIFTS)
Presenter: Dawn Gunderson, Program and Communications Coordinator, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies - The Montana Coalition

Learn more about the LIFTS Online Resource Guide and it can help you, and the caregivers you serve, find prenatal to three resources and family-friendly, substance-free events in their communities.

Dawn Gunderson has a degree in Computer Applications Management. She has served as the coordinator of a behavioral health coalition for community education, prevention, and resiliency. Her background also includes providing WIC services including nutrition and safety education, lactation support, and referrals for moms and children up to age 5. She is excited to be working with partners invested in the overall health and wellness of Montana families.

Positive Solutions for Families
Presenter: Benjamin Riepe, MA, Inclusion Coaching Specialist, University of Denver

This is an overview of the updated Positive Solutions for Families (PSF) training which was recently updated and is available on NCPMI. PSF is a wonderful free resource for programs implementing the Pyramid Model, PBIS, or just in search of high-quality family training.

Ben Riepe, MA is an Inclusion Coaching Specialist for the Positive Early Learning Experiences (PELE) Center at the University of Denver. He is on staff at the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) and the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations. He has over 25 years of experience teaching, coaching, and providing TA in the field of Early Childhood.

Healthy Children & Youth

Early Identification of Dual Sensory Loss
Presenter: Theresa Baldry, Project Coordinator, Montana Deaf-Blind Project

Experiences that occur during the earliest years of life have a profound effect on a child’s ability to learn, move, and interact with others. This is especially true for children with combined vision and hearing loss—known as deaf-blindness—whose physical, communicative, cognitive, social, and emotional developmental domains are deeply intertwined. Because the impact on learning is exponentially greater for combined vision and hearing loss than for vision or hearing loss alone, early identification, followed by early intervention services from individuals who understand the unique impact of deaf-blindness, is essential.

Theresa Baldry is the Project Coordinator for the Montana Deaf-Blind Project, based in Miles City Montana. She began her work in the disability field due to her need to understand information and systems that would directly impact her son with a disability, who is now a young adult. Over the last 25 years, she has worked to impact and develop relationships with the program and services which support individuals with a disability throughout their lives.

Stopping Behavior Before It Starts
Presenter: Jennifer Schoffer Closson, Owner/Member, YETI Consulting

Behavior can be challenging. There are several evidence-based strategies to get ahead of behavior so your day can move more smoothly. Learn about supports that work for everyone.

Jennifer Schoffer Closson is the owner and member of YETI Consulting LLC. Schoffer Closson specializes in behavior and autism. She has been a practicing speech-language pathologist for 27 years and is employed by the University of Montana.

Do You Have Questions about Genetics?
Presenter: Jennifer Banna, Genetic Navigator, Mountain State Regional Genetics Network

This session is for anyone who wants to learn more about genetics and genetic resources in Montana. Genetic resources for families and those who work with them will be shared. 

Jennifer Banna is a mom to 5 children, one with a rare genetic syndrome. She is also the Center Coordinator for Montana's Family to Family Health Information Center. She enjoys introducing genetics to families and providers, along with helping Montana families find resources.

Healthy Relationships for Middle School Kids
Presenters: Hayden Ramsey, Prevention Educator & Libby Johnson, Co-Director, Domestic and Sexual Violence Services

Violence costs students opportunities at every turn. Bullying, sexual violence, and teen dating violence cause students trauma that affects their whole lives. The best answer to making sure these opportunities are not lost is to prevent violence in the first place. In this session, Libby Johnson, Co-Director of DSVS, and Hayden Ramsey, Violence Prevention Educator, will show participants a lesson that teaches 7th and 8th-grade students critical thinking skills to have healthy peer relationships.

Hayden Ramsey has been on staff for three years and a volunteer advocate for a year prior to her employment. Having volunteered with various domestic violence organizations in the Bronx and Los Angeles as well as rural Montana, she is extremely excited to have joined the Power Up, Speak Out! Team in 2021. Engaging in the trauma-informed care of victim-survivors of both domestic and sexual violence led her to believe that the core tenet of ending the cycle of violence lies in prevention. The simple age-appropriate lessons of Power Up, Speak Out! were the beginning of her mission to empower all communities to build healthy relationships. Working with educators, advocates, and community responders across the country is an energizing experience for her and proof positive that we are all working towards the same goal.

Libby Johnson obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Montana State University - Billings, her master of science in Special Education/Applied Behavior Analysis from Montana State University - Billings, and her master of science in Educational Leadership from Rocky Mountain College. Libby has extensive experience working as a licensed special education teacher. She worked in Red Lodge Public Schools and as a behavior consultant for the Montana Office of Public Instruction and the Yellowstone-West Carbon County Special Services Cooperative. Libby has worked in in-home settings, public schools, and residential placements for children and adolescents who have social-emotional, cognitive, and behavioral needs. She believes in creating safe places for all people to express themselves and understands the importance of establishing healthy boundaries in relationships. As DSVS’ Co-Director Libby hopes to improve the current health and vitality of our communities for generations to come.

Nutrition

MT Marinara - Building Collaborative Partnerships for Healthy and Local Montana Lunches
Presenter: Anne Harney, Local Food Promotion Coordinator, Mission West Community Development Partners

Join us as we share about a unique collaboration between the Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center, Northwest Food Hub Network, and MT Office of Public Instruction that aims to reduce barriers to purchasing Montana foods for school meals (like price, labor, and logistics). Our pilot product, Montana Marinara, combines USDA Foods canned tomatoes with local ingredients to create an affordable value-added product for schools. In this session, we will provide information about this new partnership, share new food product ideas, and invite attendees to join this effort to build a healthy, nourishing, and fresh future for Montana students.

Anne Harney is the Local Food Promotion Coordinator for Mission West Community Development Partners. She helps coordinate Farm to School programming and a local food box distribution program in cooperation with the Western Montana Growers Cooperative and food distribution sites in western Montana.

The Nutrition Access Project: Collaboration Between WIC and Pediatricians
Presenters: Kate Girard, State WIC Director/Section Supervisor, Anna Schmitt, Dr. Shaina Rogers & Debbie Hirshberg

MTAAP, WIC, and Yarrow have an innovative collaboration where MT pediatricians in three communities are taking an active role in screening for food insecurity in their patients and their families and collaborating with WIC staff on building a tight referral process that will help connect families to WIC and other food access resources in their communities. Each community has a different approach to connecting their patients to WIC services. During this session, you will hear different perspectives of team members on lessons learned and best practices in streamlining access to food assistance through healthcare providers.

Kate Girard is a registered dietitian who has spent her career in public health nutrition, specifically with the maternal and child health program WIC.  She has worked both locally providing direct service and program management, as well as administered the WIC program statewide. In her role, Kate manages >15million in federal grants, supervises a team of 6+, provides leadership to staff and program stakeholders, manages>200 contracts, and ensures effective and efficient program delivery.

Anna Schmitt obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Vermont and her Masters of Public Health from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She has worked in healthcare in both Colorado and Montana, as well as abroad. In her work with Yarrow, Anna provides evaluation and strategic planning expertise. Her passions are maternal health, indigenous peoples' health and wellbeing; and working towards the elimination of gender-based violence. Towards this goal, Anna volunteers for Zonta, an international women’s empowerment organization. Anna grew up in Colorado but now calls Montana her home. She enjoys time with Mother Nature, family, and friends.

Dr. Shaina Rogers, DO is a Pediatrics Specialist in Missoula, MT.

Debbie Hirshberg is the Nutrition Clinic Coordinator for the Missoula, Montana Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Her position includes direct client services with WIC families in addition to outreach, referral processes, local retail and farmers’ market coordination, and general clinic coordination. Debbie’s dedication to the WIC program has been shown over the 15 years of experience she has at WIC. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences, is an Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, is President-Elect for the Montana Association of WIC Agencies, and will complete the National WIC Association’s Leadership Academy in June 2022. As a former grocery store cashier and WIC mother, Debbie is committed to ensuring WIC participants are supported during their families’ critical early years and she deeply values the network of stakeholders partnering with the WIC program. Bios pending Kate Girard, Dr. Shaina Roger and parent partner panelist. If accepted, more logos will be sent.

Managing Chronic Diseases in Food Insecure Patients through Produce Prescription Programs 
Presenters: Linda Cleatus, Community Outreach and Grants Specialist, Montana No Kid Hungry, Ian Finch, Food Access Program Director at the Community Food and Agriculture, Erica Rubino, and Gretchen Boyer

Dietary intake is critical in managing chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. Physicians have found it challenging to give recommendations on improving dietary intake to patients who are food insecure and do not have the finances to purchase healthier food. Learn about existing innovative Produce Prescriptions Programs in Montana that are a collaboration between healthcare and food access organizations, which ensure food-insecure patients have access to medically tailored food boxes or vouchers to purchase specific produce to manage their chronic illnesses. See the metrics that show the impact of these programs.

Linda Cleatus is the Community Outreach and Grants Specialist, Montana No Kid Hungry.  She's originally from Northeast Ohio.  The duality of being born and raised in the U.S. while being raised by Indian immigrants (who have long been U.S. citizens), has influenced her career path and my purpose.

Linda's work leading up to joining Montana No Kid Hungry has been primarily focused on working with children and youth in a variety of capacities including supporting children as they navigate aging out of the foster care system. Whether working in the U.S. or volunteering in India, her goal has been to assist people, young and old, in having access to basic needs, which includes having the opportunity to live with dignity.

Working with Montana No Kid Hungry has allowed Linda the opportunity to work on a human right where innovation is welcomed.  She feels fortunate to work with an organization that continues to expand their work on how childhood hunger can be ended.

Ian Finch (he/him) is the Food Access Program Director at the Community Food and Agriculture in Missoula, MT, overseeing Montana’s Double SNAP Dollars Program (DSD), Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and CFAC’s emerging Produce Prescription Collaborative. Originally from Helena, Ian moved to Missoula in 2006 to study Environmental Studies with a focus on sustainable food systems. In college, Ian worked with The Food Project as a student co-founder of The Real Food Challenge, a national campaign that has grown to include 80+ Colleges and Universities that have collectively diverted over $80 million to their local producers. Ian spent four seasons farming throughout the Northwest before returning to the University of Montana to direct the UM Farm to College Program, linking the institution and its students to Montana agriculture. Ian then worked as the Chef at Buttercup Market and Café before finding a home at CFAC. He enjoys relaxing at remote lakes in Montana’s alpine paradise, traveling to new destinations to learn new ways of being, and digging around in the soil in his home garden.

Érica Rubino (she/her) is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Minor in Spanish, and completed her dietetic internship at Oregon State University. She is a Registered Dietitian who is interested in diabetes, health equity, and improving people’s relationship with food. She currently works at All Nations Health Center, an Urban Indian Health Center in Missoula, MT as the Wellness Care Coordinator. She works predominantly with the Special Diabetes Program for Indians grant and serves as a fully integrated dietitian in All Nations Health Center’s primary care clinic. Érica is from Brazil and is trilingual in Portuguese, Spanish, and English.

Gretchen Boyer is the executive director of Land to Hand Montana, a grassroots nonprofit that focuses on food access and farm-to-school education. She has been on the board since 2004 and was hired as their first staff in 2017. Gretchen has a degree in Psychology and spent the first 18 years of her career working with Youth at Risk at a therapeutic boarding school. She worked hard to teach her students the value of creating community and her work with Land to Hand complimented the lessons she taught her students. She lives in Whitefish Montana with her husband and 14-year-old son and baseball occupy their spring and summer and skiing is their winter passion. 

Quality Improvement & Leadership

Filling a Gap: The MOMS Simulation Leadership Academy
Presenters: Stephanie Fitch, MHA, MS, LAC, Kimber McKay, PhD & Mary Robertson, RN 

Critical access hospitals (CAHs) often provide emergency labor and delivery care in remote areas of Montana. For CAHs with and without birthing units, it is difficult to remain prepared for rare obstetric emergencies and provider teams need opportunities to routinely practice skills to manage these situations. Mobile simulation programming exists in Montana; however, rural hospitals do not have the financial resources to routinely participate in these programs without external funding. An interdisciplinary faculty-led by a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator - collaborated on the Simulation Leadership Academy (SLA) curriculum to provide evidence-based education on emergent and non-emergent simulation practice in both medical and behavioral health settings. The SLA faculty designed a six-session curriculum offered via Zoom over a six-month period. The curriculum includes didactic education, breakout discussions, live skills demonstrations, and pre/post-session assignments. All participants are provided medium-fidelity obstetric simulators to ensure all participants have access to quality simulation equipment to be used throughout the course and beyond as they design their facilities' simulation programs.

Stephanie Fitch, MHA, MS, LAC attended Montana State University Billings where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. She completed a master’s in Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management through Colorado State University Global in November 2020. Stephanie has been a licensed addiction counselor (LAC) in the state of Montana since 2016 and utilized that license to provide inpatient, outpatient, and utilization review counseling at Rimrock Foundation prior to accepting a position with Billings Clinic in January 2020. Stephanie manages all MOMS Demonstration Project activities including simulation trainings, Project ECHO, certification courses, telehealth services, and perinatal/postpartum substance abuse and mental health programming.

Kimber McKay, PhD, MPH is a professor in the School of Public and Community Health Sciences at the University of Montana. My research is on programs that address the social and behavioral determinants of health, and the interplay between community development projects and health outcomes. My main area of expertise is social and behavioral determinants of maternal and child health, and my research has focused on understanding and influencing health behaviors in cross-cultural settings, both rural and urban. I have 20+ years of experience working with interdisciplinary teams of health professionals, engineers, and community mobilizers on program design, research, and monitoring and evaluation.

Mary Robertson, RN, BSEd, BSN, CHSE began her professional career as a teacher and turned to nursing after memorable and powerful birth experiences. She has 35 years of nursing practice in clinical settings, public health, and health care education, including the use of simulation. She has served on multiple state and local professional boards and committees, inclusive of the Montana Hospital Association education committee and the Montana Perinatal Association Board of Directors. Her expertise incorporates clinical passion, educational and program development, competency assessment and the integration of simulation-based education into intra-and inter-professional learning. She has developed training for new staff at Billings Clinic and has also trained CNA students, PA students, resident physicians, and pharmacists. Additionally, Ms. Robertson has provided numerous professional presentations at local, state and national levels.

Accomplishments encompass working with (and learning from) inter-professional learners in multiple settings. In addition, Ms. Robertson is privileged to have led teams that launched the Billings Clinic Simulation and Experiential Learning Lab (SELL) and steered the SELL to international accreditation. She completed a master’s certificate in Leadership in Simulation Instruction and Management from Robert Morris University and has achieved multiple specialty certifications in nursing practice. She is currently credentialed as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSIH).

Ms. Robertson’s proudest professional moments center around the “Aha-now I get it” instances that occur in the context of individual conversations, collaborative projects and learning events. She joined MOMS in 2020 as the MOMS Nurse Clinician.

Health Care Communication with Individuals Who Communicate Differently
Presenter: Isaac Baldry, UM Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities

This session's content is based in part on research being done by The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University's TechOWL program through their Augmentative Communication and Empowerment Supports project. It offers providers the chance to learn how to have medical (and other important) conversations with people who communicate in non-traditional ways. The presenter will introduce audience members to some differences they could encounter, as well as tools to help communicate across those differences.

After graduating high school, Isaac Baldry created his own company, Isaac Baldry Consulting, to focus his self-employment on using his lived experience to create an impact. Isaac’s work at the state and national levels has focused on assistive technology, self-advocacy, and healthcare topics. He has participated in research projects, trainings, and tool development for people who use augmentative and alternative communication. He was a member of the ACES, Augmentative Communication and Empowerment Supports series called Talking with Doctors, a collaboration between Temple University and TechOWL, Technology for our Whole Lives. Currently, one of his contracts is with the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities providing opportunities such as today.

Inclusive Online Meetings: It's Easier than You Think!
Presenters: Michelle Allen, Assistive Technology Professional & Madi Kelly, Assistive Technology Ambassador, MonTECH

Team building and communication are increasingly happening online. Are you holding online meetings and webinars? How can you be sure everyone is really getting the information? You'll hear the impact on people with disabilities who are unable to fully participate in online meetings and presentations; you'll learn how to make your meetings accessible for all.

Michelle Allen is the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) for MonTECH. Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Family Relations/Child Development from Oklahoma State University. In 2019, she became a certified ATP. While working with children with developmental delays, she developed a love for assistive technology. She has experience with equipment from low-tech to high-tech and strongly believes people can achieve their full potential with the right tools.

Madi Kelly is MonTECH's Assistive Technology Ambassador. She is a recent graduate of the University of Montana with a B.S. in Integrated Physiology with plans to become an occupational therapist. Madi has worked closely with MonTECH over the past year and has developed broad expertise across a wide range of adaptive equipment and assistive technologies.

Self Care: Avoiding burnout in caregiving professions
Presenter: Lindsay DeGroot, LCPC, PhD Candidate, LD Counseling Services

Now, more than ever, it is important to practice self-care. With increasing stressors and high levels of burnout and compassion fatigue in the caregiving profession, we must take care of ourselves by practicing self-care. This does NOT mean more mani-pedis and facials. True self-care will help us to be more resilient and increase our capacity to manage daily stress, so it doesn’t become toxic, turn to burnout, and negatively impact our mental and physical health. Remember: You have to put your own oxygen mask on first before you put one on someone else.

Lindsay DeGroot is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in Montana as well as a licensed school counselor (LSC). She is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Certified Babywearing Educator (CBE) and the co-founder and past member of the Board for Babywearing International of Portland. She has experience working as a school counselor in the public school system, as a child and family therapist in a Portland community mental health clinic, and providing services to a variety of clients in the private practice setting. She has additional training in the neurobiology of Trauma, child and adolescent therapy, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, self-harming behaviors, Collaborative Problem Solving, Mindfulness techniques, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Attachment Theory, Hakomi Therapy, Art Therapy, Yoga Calm®, and the Love and Logic® family education program. She is a clinical supervisor, a faculty instructor at Montana State University, and she is currently working towards a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision as well as a certification in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). As an experienced and dynamic public speaker, Lindsay DeGroot offers numerous local and national presentations as a keynote speaker, general session, or guest lecturer. She engages audiences with evidence-based information, real-life examples, heartfelt authenticity, and transparency. As a faculty instructor at Montana State University in the Health and Human Development Department, she has taught courses in Human Sexuality, Family and Relationships, Group Therapy, Psychopharmacology, and the Ethic of Care. She's developed great skills in addressing sensitive topics while maintaining engagement with an audience and providing a warm and inviting safe space for participants to integrate new information.