Montana tribal colleges could seek grants to train health aides

Montana tribal colleges could apply for grants to develop, expand, or maintain programs that train community health aides or dental health aides. Only tribal colleges located in Montana could apply. The commissioner of higher education would run the program. Training would have to prepare graduates to practice within the limits allowed by the cited federal law. The intended awards are up to $1 million once to start a new program and up to $500,000 yearly for up to four years for maintenance, data collection, and reporting. Each recipient could receive no more than $3 million total. Colleges with experience training these aides could receive preference. The proposal specified July 1, 2025, as its effective date, but it did not become law.

The state would set aside $1.5 million from its general fund for the health aide education grants. The money would go to the commissioner of higher education for the grant program. The proposal expresses an intent to include this funding in the starting budget for the next legislative session; it does not guarantee future funding. The allocation would cover the two-year period beginning July 1, 2025.

Colleges receiving grants would evaluate how health aides affect care and report program results to the commissioner of higher education. These duties would apply to tribal colleges awarded grants. The commissioner would use their data to report on the program. Reports would cover graduates and certified aides, communities served, and results for patient care and access. Colleges would work with tribal health clinics to assess how the aides' costs compare with their results. The commissioner would submit an annual report to the legislative committees responsible for education and for children, families, health, and human services.