Montana Cares
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MSSA/Reservation Schools (serving majority of Native American students)/MHSA-Class C schools also qualify for Mandt training, e-therapy, Character Strong curriculum support and reduced rates on a variety of virtual workshops offered throughout the year and access to Meaghan Houlihan Schrader, Training & Professional Learning Specialist (Mental Health / Student Supports)for support.
Learn more about the MT Cares App |
Montana Professional Learning Collaborative MTPLC, also known as Montana Regional Education Service Area (RESA)V, is a 501(c)3 serving all Montana schools. MTPLC administers the Stop School Violence Grant (SSV) - in partnership with the Montana Small Schools Alliance (MSSA).
The SSV Grant encompasses three components (Montana Cares, MHRN, and E-Therapy):
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Montana Cares & MTPLC Student Support Services
Building Safer, Stronger, and More Connected Montana Schools
Supporting Rural, Frontier, and Tribal Schools
Through MTPLC’s STOP School Violence (SSV) Grant Programs
Every Montana Student Deserves Access to Support
Montana schools are facing increasing challenges related to student mental health, school safety, and access to behavioral health services; especially in rural, frontier, and tribal communities. MTPLC’s Student Support Services programs are designed to help schools build stronger systems of care while ensuring students, staff, and families have immediate access to critical resources and support.
Through the Montana Cares initiative and related SSV grant-funded services, MTPLC partners with schools across the state to provide:
- 24/7 crisis and anonymous reporting support
- Mental health and wellness resources
- Teletherapy access
- Climate and culture programming
- Training and professional learning for school staff
- Ongoing guidance from MTPLC’s Training & Professional Learning Specialist (Mental Health / Student Supports)
What is Montana Cares?
Montana Cares is more than an app—it’s a statewide network of support designed specifically for Montana schools.
The program gives students, families, and staff direct access to:
24/7 Crisis Support
Students can immediately connect with trained crisis counselors through the integrated Crisis Text Line.
Anonymous Two-Way Communication
Students can safely ask for help or report concerns anonymously through the Montana Cares platform.
Local & School-Based Resources
Schools can customize resources for students and families including:
- Mental health services
- Food and housing supports
- Transportation resources
- Community programs
- School contacts and support staff
Around-the-Clock Monitoring
Every submission is monitored 24/7/365 by trained safety specialists who can escalate emergencies when needed.
According to Montana Cares reporting data:
- 374 Crisis Text Line interventions have already occurred statewide
- 870 resource requests have been made by students and families
- Mental health concerns remain the #1 reported issue across participating districts
Why This Work Matters in Montana
Montana continues to face significant challenges related to youth mental health and access to care.
Key statewide data highlights include:
- Montana youth are more than twice as likely to die by suicide compared to the national average.
- 26% of Montana high school students reported seriously considering suicide in the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
- Nearly 150 Montana small school districts currently lack credentialed school counselors.
- Rural schools often face significant barriers to accessing mental health professionals and services.
MTPLC’s Student Support Services are designed to reduce these barriers by bringing accessible, trauma-informed, and practical supports directly to schools.
MTPLC Student Support Services Available to Schools
Montana Cares App & Anonymous Reporting
A comprehensive digital support platform that allows students and families to:
- Ask for help anonymously
- Access crisis counseling
- Connect to local resources
- Receive support 24/7/365
- Mobile app
- Chromebook
- Website
- Phone access
- 4,000+ trained counselors
- A library of self-help resources
- Two-way communication with trusted adults
- A monitored 24/7 help center
Training & Professional Learning Support
Schools participating in MTPLC’s SSV programs receive access to support from MTPLC’s Training & Professional Learning Specialist (Mental Health / Student Supports).
Support may include:
- Mental health and wellness professional learning
- Trauma-informed practices
- MTSS-aligned student support strategies
- School climate and culture support
- Behavioral health resource coordination
- Staff wellness support
- Program onboarding and implementation coaching
- Crisis response support and consultation
MTPLC’s work is guided by a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework focused on prevention, early intervention, and sustainable student support systems.
Teletherapy & Direct Student Support
MTPLC’s programs also include expanded teletherapy opportunities to help address the shortage of school-based mental health professionals in rural Montana.
Current Montana Cares programming has already delivered:
- 545 teletherapy sessions
- Services across multiple Montana districts
- Expanded access to licensed mental health professionals
School Climate & Culture Programming
Participating schools may also have access to:
- Rachel’s Challenge programming
- Wellness and resiliency curriculum
- Character Strong resources
- Trauma-informed training
- Violence prevention and school culture support
These programs help schools strengthen student connection, belonging, resilience, and overall school climate.
Why Schools Partner with MTPLC
Schools across Montana partner with MTPLC because the support is:
Practical
Programs are designed specifically for the realities of Montana schools.
Flexible
Resources can be customized for individual district needs.
Relationship-Focused
MTPLC works alongside schools as a collaborative partner—not just a service provider.
Rural-Focused
Programs are intentionally designed to support small, rural, frontier, and tribal districts.
Comprehensive
Schools gain access to prevention, intervention, training, crisis response, and community resource support in one connected system.
MTPLC currently administers multiple SSV grant-supported initiatives in partnership with the Montana Small Schools Alliance (MSSA). (mtplc.org)
How Schools Can Get Started
MTPLC is actively partnering with schools interested in strengthening:
- Student mental health supports
- School safety systems
- Anonymous reporting and response
- Staff wellness and training
- Community resource access
- MTSS and trauma-informed practices
Whether your district is looking for a full implementation plan or targeted support, MTPLC can help identify the right services and opportunities for your school community.
Connect With MTPLC
Montana Professional Learning Collaborative (MTPLC)To learn more about MTPLC Student Support Services, Montana Cares, or SSV grant opportunities, contact:
Jessica Johnson
Executive Director, MTPLC
[email protected]
Together, We Can Strengthen Montana Schools
MTPLC believes every Montana student deserves access to safe, connected, and supportive school environments.
Through strong partnerships, responsive mental health supports, and high-quality professional learning, Montana schools can continue building systems that help every student thrive.
CharacterStrong
The Montana Professional Learning Collaborative (MTPLC) and the Montana Small Schools Alliance (MSSA) are pleased to provide CharacterStrong, a transformative digital program designed to enhance Whole Child Competencies in PreK-12th grade classrooms. With a focus on character development and fostering positive educator-student relationships, CharacterStrong provides a comprehensive toolkit for educators to integrate practices seamlessly into their curriculum.
Purpose: CharacterStrong is a comprehensive digital program aimed at fostering whole child competence, character development, and nurturing strong educator-student relationships.
The Montana Professional Learning Collaborative (MTPLC) and the Montana Small Schools Alliance (MSSA) are pleased to provide CharacterStrong, a transformative digital program designed to enhance Whole Child Competencies in PreK-12th grade classrooms. With a focus on character development and fostering positive educator-student relationships, CharacterStrong provides a comprehensive toolkit for educators to integrate practices seamlessly into their curriculum.
Purpose: CharacterStrong is a comprehensive digital program aimed at fostering whole child competence, character development, and nurturing strong educator-student relationships.
Rachel's Challenge.org
Suicide, School Violence & Bullying Prevention ProgramCreate through Kindness
At Rachel’s Challenge, we create change. We know that hope is the antidote to fear. We know that kindness is contagious, that compassion connects us, that empathy can end isolation. We teach these positive tools and skills to address the causes of school violence and self-harm directly at the source: we don’t treat the symptoms; we cure the disease.
Suicide, School Violence & Bullying Prevention ProgramCreate through Kindness
At Rachel’s Challenge, we create change. We know that hope is the antidote to fear. We know that kindness is contagious, that compassion connects us, that empathy can end isolation. We teach these positive tools and skills to address the causes of school violence and self-harm directly at the source: we don’t treat the symptoms; we cure the disease.
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Online SurveyPlease let us know your school’s needs by participating in this quick, online survey. Use this link https://forms.gle/PHi5qxUT5ecASkYM8 or the QR code.
Or contact Contact Meaghan Houlihan Schrader at [email protected] |
MT Cares Interest Form
MTPLC in partnership with STOPit Solutions and MSSA is working to administer the Stop School Violence Grant (SSV).
The SSV Grant encompasses three components (Montana Cares, MHRN, and E-Therapy). The targeted population includes, MSSA member schools and tribal schools. Services include (but are not limited to):
MTPLC in partnership with STOPit Solutions and MSSA is working to administer the Stop School Violence Grant (SSV).
The SSV Grant encompasses three components (Montana Cares, MHRN, and E-Therapy). The targeted population includes, MSSA member schools and tribal schools. Services include (but are not limited to):
- Montana Cares (Available to ALL districts)
- FREE services provided to MSSA and tribal districts who are onboarding Montana Cares:
- E-Therapy
- Mental Health Resource Navigator (MHRN)
- Free MANDT Training
- Character Strong Curriculum
