Blog - LIFTT

LIFTT Board of Directors meets September 4

The LIFTT Board of Directors will hold an ordinary meeting on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 4 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually using the Zoom platform. The public is invited to attend the meeting and offer comments during the public comment period.

Click here to view or download the meeting agenda and Zoom invitation for the September 4, 2025, LIFTT board of directors meeting. (Adobe PDF)

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Register Today for Fall Health & Wellness Classes!

Join us at LIFTT This Fall for a great lineup of FREE Health and Wellness classes for all ages and all abilities

🧠 DECIDE
Every Other Friday | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
October 10 – January 30, 2026 | LIFTT’s Classroom
Format: In-person & Online
DECIDE is a 9-module, evidence-based self-management support program developed through NIH-funded research. It was originally designed for diabetes self-management, but now also supports individuals with high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure. The program helps participants tackle real-life barriers to improve chronic disease outcomes.

🌀 Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention
Tuesdays | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Aug. 26 – Dec. 9 | LIFTT’s Community Room
Format: In-person & Online
This low-impact martial art focuses on improving balance, flexibility, strength, and mobility, while reducing pain and risk of falling.

🚶 Walk With Ease
Wednesdays | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Aug. 27 – Oct. 1 | LIFTT’s Community Room
Created by the Arthritis Foundation, this program combines walking with health education, strengthening, and stretching exercises. Participants receive a guidebook and a structured plan to help them move toward better health safely.

💪 Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL)
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Sept. 2 – Nov. 20 | LIFTT’s Community Room
Format: In-person & Online
SAIL is an evidence-based falls prevention program focused on strength, balance, and flexibility. The class can be done seated or standing and is ideal for older adults.

🧠 Brain Health
Mondays | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sept. 8 – Nov. 3 | Location TBD (possibly the Community Center)
A class designed to promote cognitive wellness through activities and education to support memory, focus, and mental health.

🌿 Weight Loss and Wellness (formerly The Diabetes Prevention Program)
Wednesdays | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Aug. 27 – Nov. 17 | LIFTT’s Classroom
Format: In-person & Online

If you are overweight or at risk for type 2 diabetes, LIFTT’s free Weight Loss and Wellness class can help you take control of your health. In our weekly classes, you’ll learn simple ways to move more, eat better, and lose weight at a comfortable pace. You’ll be supported by a trained Lifestyle Coach and a small group of peers who are working toward the same goals- so you’re never in it alone.”

All Classes will be held at LIFTT’s Billings office at 1241 Crawford Drive, but will be avalaible to access live online from anywhere in LIFTT’s service area. For more information or to register for LIFTT’s FREE Health and Wellness Classes, contact LIFTT’s nutritional health coaches, Anya Pulis (406) 606-1766, anyap@liftt.org, or Eileen Rodrigiuz, (406) 294-5185, eileenr@liftt.org

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Celebrate 35 years of the ADA LIFTT Style on July 26!

Mark your calendars and get ready to party with purpose — LIFTT is thrilled to announce our upcoming celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)! It’s more than an event — it’s a milestone in the movement for equity, independence, and inclusion for people with disabilities nationwide.

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at LIFTT’s Billings office, 1241 Crawford Drive, we’ll gather as a community to honor the legacy of the ADA, spotlight our local heroes, and remind the world that accessibility is a right, not a privilege.

What’s in Store?

You won’t want to miss this! We’ve got an amazing lineup that’s shaping up to be the highlight of the summer:

20+ organizations confirmed — a true collaboration of advocates, allies, and changemakers.
7 guest speakers, each with powerful stories and visionary insight.
Living Well in Community Graduation- Celebrate our exceptional LWC students as they complete the 11-week program
5 LIFTT speakers — including Jed Barton, Jen Hawkinson, Tonette Jensen, Darren Able, and Carlos Ramalho — are ready to ignite the crowd with energy and purpose.
Raffles, sweet treats, and surprises galore, including a special basket designed by Theresa Sand and funded in part by Scheels.
Cake AND cupcakes — because celebrations should be delicious.

Chill, Sip & Celebrate

Thanks to a generous donation from Mazevo, we’ll be serving up iced coffee to keep you cool and energized, along with our cozy hot coffee and tea station for those who like their caffeine the classic way. Expect a few flavored creamers, too — we believe coffee should be fun.

Community, Connection & Commemorative Shirts

Our volunteers and peer supporters are the heart of this event, and they’ll be honored with free event shirts — a small token of our massive appreciation. Want one? You’ll have to come and see how you can be part of the celebration next year!

More Than a Party

This isn’t just a day of speeches and sugar — it’s a hands-on, inclusive experience. The Western Heritage Center will be providing an exhibit flyer as part of the celebration. And yes, LIFTT tents, chairs, tables, and the crew from Billings to Glendive will be making this event a full-scale community effort.

Staff are rolling up their sleeves, setting up early, and making sure every detail is just right. Because this isn’t just an event — it’s our legacy.

Stay in the Loop and Thanks to our Team!

We’re updating our flyer and inviting everyone to like and share the event on Facebook. If you haven’t RSVP’d yet — this is your sign! Come for the connection, stay for the celebration, and leave with the inspiration to keep pushing forward.

A massive shoutout to the amazing folks making it all happen: Anya Pulis, Holly Hanson, Jed Barton, Tanya Thomas, Rachial Combs, Danial Grubaugh, Mike Nelson, Lauren Hunley, and so many others working together to ensure this ADA celebration reflects the spirit of Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow.

Join us, Celebrate with us, Reflect and reimagine with us

Whether you’re a long-time advocate, a curious community member, or someone just learning about the ADA, there’s a place for you here.

Don’t miss our LIFTT’s ADA Celebration on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 1241 Crawford Drive in Billings. Let’s celebrate 35 years of progress — and keep the momentum going for the next 35!

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Priortizing Brain Health with Kyla Rock

Kyla Rock, the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program Manager for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Bureau, presented at LIFTT on June 20. Rock’ encouraged her audience to make “small, sustainable changes that can have a big impact on their cognitive well-being.”

On June 20, LIFTT was pleased to welcome Kyla Rock, the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program Manager for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Bureau, for a special presentation on Brain Health. Kyla led an engaging and informative session, encouraging participants to consider making small, sustainable changes that can have a big impact on cognitive well-being.

One of the key topics Kyla discussed was the importance of healthy sleep habits. She shared practical tips such as turning off screens and putting away phones at least an hour before bedtime. Participants also learned how simple adjustments to room temperature and lighting can significantly improve sleep quality. While pets can bring joy and companionship, Kyla reminded attendees that it’s important they don’t interfere with a good night’s rest.

Lifestyle choices, like smoking, were another focus. Kyla explained the direct link between tobacco use and increased risk of cognitive decline. She highlighted Montana’s Tobacco Free initiative as a valuable support resource for those looking to quit smoking and improve their overall brain health.

Mental and emotional well-being were also part of the conversation. Kyla emphasized the importance of social engagement and community involvement, whether through volunteering, attending faith-based gatherings, or simply staying socially active. Physical activity — even low-impact exercises like Tai Chi — was promoted as a powerful way to reduce stress and support brain health.

The group shared ideas for fun, heart-pumping activities that also encourage social interaction, both of which are essential for keeping the brain sharp. The discussion naturally transitioned to nutrition, where participants shared tips such as hard-boiling eggs and eating them with olive oil for a quick, healthy breakfast, as well as finding creative ways to add more fruits and vegetables into their daily meals.

Kyla closed by urging anyone concerned about memory loss or dementia — whether for themselves or a loved one — to reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24-hour hotline at 800-272-3900 for support, information, and guidance. Attendees were also encouraged to enroll in LIFTT’s 8-week Brain Health Class, which explores these topics in more depth and fosters ongoing dialogue around brain-healthy habits.

For information about the Brain Health Class or to sign up, please call LIFTT Nutritional Health Coach Eileen Rodriguez at (406) 294-5185 or email her at eileenr@liftt.org.

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Wheels in Motion for ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program

Carrying Forward a Vision of Mobility and Inclusion

Since its inception, LIFTT’s ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program has been more than just a plan — it has been a promise: a promise to create pathways, not just roadways; to connect, not just commute.

This promise took root thanks to the generous support and guidance of the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC). Through their planning grant and ongoing technical assistance, NADTC helped LIFTT plant the seeds of a vision long shared by our communities: that aging and disabled individuals in rural Montana deserve safe, dignified, and dependable transportation, and deserve to be included at every turn of the journey. All the members of the Advisory Committee worked very hard, led by Garrett Mills, our tireless Board Chair.

Now, after nearly a year of tireless collaboration, public input, and policy development, we are proud to say: we are almost ready to launch. The planning phase is nearing completion, and we are on track to receive two ADA-compliant vehicles from the Montana Department of Transportation before the end of 2025 — an exciting step forward for our region and the individuals we serve.

From the outset, our work has been guided by a clear vision:

To be a driving force in promoting independence and eliminating barriers for aging and disabled individuals through equitable transportation in South-Central and Eastern Montana.

And our mission has anchored us each step of the way:

To bridge the transportation gap in rural Montana, including Native American Reservations, by providing reliable, ADA-compliant transportation, enabling access to education, healthcare, employment, and community engagement by ensuring the right to mobility and inclusion for aging and disabled individuals.

This program’s design is rooted in the voices of those it serves. Through focus groups held across our service area — including tribal communities, individuals with lived experience, and allied professionals — we’ve heard loud and clear what matters most: accessibility, dignity, safety, and belonging. Our policies and practices are being shaped by these insights and refined through the dedication of a multidisciplinary advisory committee that has met monthly to ensure we remain accountable, inclusive, and strategic.

As we enter the next phase, our gratitude to NADTC only deepens. They believed in LIFTT’s capacity to lead a transformation in rural mobility, and their belief helped unlock the momentum we now carry forward.

So stay tuned. Wheels will soon turn. Lives will shift. And our shared landscape of opportunity will stretch just a little further, toward a future where transportation is not a privilege, but a right.

Together, we’re moving forward.

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

LIFTT Awarded DECIDE Grant

LIFTT is excited to announce that LIFTT has been awarded a grant from the State of Montana to implement the DECIDE (Diabetes Education and Empowerment) Self-Management Program — a nationally recognized initiative to help individuals better understand and manage diabetes. Through this partnership with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, LIFTT is expanding its health support services to reach more people living with prediabetes, type 1, or type 2 diabetes across southeastern Montana.

What is the DECIDE Program?

DECIDE is designed to help adults take charge of their health through small group sessions focused on:

Understanding diabetes and its impact
Nutrition and meal planning
Physical activity strategies
Managing stress and building confidence
Communicating effectively with health care providers

The program is structured, evidence-based, and emphasizes real-life skills that make a difference in day-to-day living with diabetes. Participants complete surveys and assessments before and after the sessions to help measure progress and outcomes.

Why This Matters

Montana’s rural and frontier communities face unique health care challenges. Many of our consumers don’t have easy access to long-term diabetes education programs. Some face transportation barriers, while others may not have access to a registered dietitian or diabetes educator in their area. The DECIDE program helps fill that gap by offering support where it’s most needed — locally, accessibly, and compassionately.

At LIFTT, we already provide Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) classes and help with Medicaid, Social Security, and home modification grant applications. Now, thanks to this new grant, we can reach even more people, especially those who can’t participate in the full-year DPP model.

Who Will Lead the Program?

The DECIDE Program will be facilitated by our Nutritional Health Coaches: Anya Pulis, B.S. in Kinesiology, and Eileen Rodriguez, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). Both Anya and Eileen have experience running wellness classes like Tai Chi, SAIL (Staying Active and Independent for Life), and strength training. They are passionate about helping our community live healthier, more independent lives.

Serving Those Most at Risk

LIFTT proudly serves a wide range of people who are statistically at higher risk for diabetes, including:

Older adults
Veterans
Medicaid recipients
People with disabilities
American Indian communities
Residents of rural and low-income areas

The DECIDE program will help ensure these populations don’t fall through the cracks.

What Comes Next?

Our team is currently undergoing training and certification through DECIDE, and we’ll be launching our first DECIDE sessions later this year. If you or someone you know is living with diabetes and could benefit from this program, please contact LIFTT’s Nutritional Health Coaches, Anya Pulis at (406) 606-1766, anyap@liftt.org, and Eileen Rodrigiuz at (406) 294-5185, elieenr@liftt.org

We’re proud to be part of this statewide effort to reduce the burden of diabetes and improve health outcomes for Montanans. Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for supporting our mission to help people live independently today and tomorrow.

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Journeying to Independence: Christian Owens

Editor’s Note: LIFTT’s overall success is measured in large part by the success of consumers and peers in achieving their individual goals. When a consumer or peer successfully completes a goal, their IL Specialist, Nutritional Health Coach, PCA facilitator, or Peer Program Coordinator writes up a “success story.” It is our privilege and pleasure to share some of them with you from time to time.

Christian Owens is a 20-year-old man from Glendive, Montana, who has been navigating the path to greater independence with courage, determination, and the support of LIFTT’s Independent Living team. Living with a learning disability, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, and ADD/ADHD, Christian faces daily challenges, but his goals are clear: he wants to secure stable housing, manage his own benefits, and eventually become a nurse.

Christian initially connected with LIFTT in early June, when Independent Living Specialist Sarah met with him at the Glendive Medical Center. He expressed his desire to become his own payee for his Social Security benefits, apply for Medicaid and SNAP, and learn how to better communicate with government agencies like the Social Security Administration. With Sarah’s help, Christian completed his intake paperwork and started working toward these goals.

Shortly after, feeling overwhelmed and unsure about his next steps, Christian walked over to the LIFTT office. Sarah and I worked together to develop a step-by-step plan. We agreed that Christian would benefit from services through Action for Eastern Montana’s WIOA employment program and the Social Security Ticket to Work program. We also supported him in initiating calls to Social Security and Action for Eastern Montana, and assisted with gathering documentation needed to prove that he was capable of becoming his own payee.

During this process, Christian opened up about significant housing concerns. He owns his trailer, but his landlord refuses to place him on the lot lease due to his Autism. Additionally, he was uncomfortable at home, reporting issues with marijuana smoke, conflict with family members, and a lack of access to clean drinking water. Despite several attempts to remove unwanted houseguests, he felt powerless and unheard. We connected Christian with Disability Rights Montana and began exploring options to improve his housing situation.

Over the following days, Christian remained in contact with Sarah and me, often calling just to vent or talk through his frustrations. One call in particular revealed how much stress he was under: his trailer was sold, he decided not to move to Kentucky as he had originally planned, and he was anxious about finding new housing and accessing his benefits. His phone was unreliable, and he had lost Sarah’s contact information at one point, but through persistence and teamwork, we stayed connected.

There were bright moments, too. Christian found a potential apartment within his budget and asked for help spelling words like “deposit” and “application” so he could write to the landlord. We scheduled an appointment for him to come into the office, and despite all the stress, his motivation remained strong.

On June 18, Christian called us twice—once to proudly share that he had signed the lease for his new apartment, and again to say that he had been approved by Social Security to be his own payee. His joy and relief were evident. “I just had to call and tell you,” he said. “I’m so happy.”

Christian’s journey is far from over, but his recent accomplishments are a testament to his resilience and the power of advocacy, patience, and support. He has been referred to LIFTT’s peer program for continued connection and encouragement as he takes his next steps. We are proud of the progress he has made and look forward to walking alongside him as he builds the life he wants and deserves.

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Thank you Catholic Heart Work Camp!

LIFTT Executive Director Carlos Ramalho (Center) with the team from Catholic Heart Workcamp that spent a week helping out in the Billings LIFTT office. Thanks for your good work CWHC Campers and Team Leaders!

LIFTT would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the participants and organizers of the Catholic Heart Workcamp (CHWC) for including us as one of the nonprofit organizations they chose to assist during their recent camp here in Billings.

CHWC is a program that brings together groups of teenagers sponsored by Catholic schools and parishes throughout the country to a community where they spend the week helping at local non-profit organizations.

From June 24-27 a group of 7 teenaged volunteers from Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado along with two team leaders reported each day to the Billings LIFTT office working on projects such as digging up a broken water line, weeding our sidewalks and parking lots, cleaning out filing cabinets, helping to moving items into and painting the new storage shed as well as cleaning up vacuuming and polishing the wood in the auditorium.

The LIFTT group was one of 34 groups deployed to sites around the Billings Area. The Lockwood School campus served as a home base for the CHWC in Billings.

Part of the CHWC experience is that where possible the various groups coming from a particular church or school are mixed up so that the individuals comprising each work group begin their time together virtually unknown to each other leading to the need for the youth to engage in community building with each other as well as those they are working with.

Typical of these teenagers was a young woman named Claire from Colorado who said that she had signed up for CHWC after a presentation at her local church. “My experience helping out LIFTT, meeting new people from all over and participating in the CHWC programming has been awesome beyond belief.”

In addition to their work at LIFTT, the teens and their leaders attended worship services each morning and participated in team building and other programs following dinner in the evenings. Saturday, June 28, was set aside as a free day with opportunities to explore our region. Some of the campers at LIFTT said they were planning to visit Lake Elmo State Park to fish and swim, while others intended to go whitewater rafting on one of the area’s rivers.

Again LIFTT would like to thank the CHWC, our team of campers: Grant, Conner, Jonathan, Paige, Ava, Chloe and Claire and team leaders Mikayla and Beau for all of their hard work helping to continue to the transformation of our (still new to us) Billings space into a true center for independent living where all are welcome.

The team from Catholic Heart Workcamp in the newly polished auditorium, From Left to Right: Mikayla (Team Leader, MN), Claire (CO), Jonathan (MN), Ava (MN), Paige (CO), Chloe (MN), Grant (IL), Conner (IL), Liam (IL), and Beau ( Team Leader, MN)

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Fighting for Independence: Jim Brown

Twenty years ago, Jim Brown sat on the board of LIFTT, helping to steer the mission of independence for people with disabilities across Eastern Montana. Today, he is at the heart of a battle no one should have to face — a fight for the very services that make independent living possible.

Jim, a tetraplegic and beloved schoolteacher, lives independently with the daily support of Personal Care Assistants (PCAs). These essential workers help him with bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, meal preparation, medication, and safety — the basics of survival and dignity. Without this care, his independence — and his life — are in danger.

Yet recently, a bureaucratic decision wrongly stripped Jim of his Medicaid eligibility, deeming him ineligible for the PCA services on which he depends. This was not a policy nuance or paperwork delay — it was a catastrophic error with life-threatening consequences.

What’s worse, Jim was not given a fair chance to appeal. The formal hearing was not even scheduled, and he has been waiting for almost three months. A process meant to protect became a wall he could not scale. But here is what we know — and what Montana Medicaid must acknowledge: Jim Brown remains eligible for services.

Our review of his eligibility, including his continued participation in the Workers with Disabilities Medicaid Buy-In program, clearly shows that he qualifies for support. Denying him care based on a flawed determination undermines both the letter and spirit of Medicaid’s mission.

“How can someone in Jim’s condition even be deemed ineligible?”

Whenever we tell this story to folks, we get the same questions: “What metric, what policy, what rationale could possibly justify removing care from a person whose very existence hinges on these supports?” This is not only a systems failure. It is a human rights issue. Jim Brown has spent decades fighting for inclusion, access, and dignity.

Today, we ask that those charged with serving him honor those same values. Medicaid was built to protect the most vulnerable. We implore you to let it do just that and help him avoid institutionalization, continuing to be an icon of independent living.

We Are Asking — No, We Are Urging

This is a call to action — not just on Jim’s behalf, but for everyone who lives on the edge of institutionalization. We are asking Montana Medicaid to do the right thing: reverse this unjust decision, restore Jim’s services, and uphold the values that keep people with disabilities living safely in their homes, their communities, and their lives. For more information, please visit our website at liftt.org or give us a call at (406) 259-5181

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

upLIFTT Thrift is now open!

The sign is up and upLIFTT Thrift is open! For now, the hours of the thrift store at 1201 Grand Avenue are Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Shop, Donate, and Make a Difference!

Something wonderful has arrived in Billings — and it’s more than just a store. It’s a mission with a front door.

We’re thrilled to announce that upLIFTT Thrift officially opened its doors in June 2025, and we can’t wait for you to stop by! With shelves full of treasures and a heart full of purpose, this isn’t your average thrift shop — it’s a place where generosity turns into impact. For now, the hours of the thrift store at 1201 Grand Avenue are Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and we hope to expand our hours soon.

At upLIFTT Thrift, every lamp, blender, picture frame, or gently used tool supports LIFTT’s Programs and Services. Your purchases directly help individuals with disabilities live freely and independently, right here in our community.

What You’ll Find

Everything from vintage furniture to quirky kitchen gadgets, home décor, books, and tools. While we don’t sell clothing or bedding, we promise there’s still something for everyone to discover.

We’re Accepting Donations!

Got items you no longer need? Drop them off at upLIFTT Thrift and give them a second life with a purpose. We gladly accept most household goods, small appliances, home furnishings, books, and more, but please no clothes or bedding.

Want to do more?

We’re looking for volunteers who want to give back, make new friends, and be part of something uplifting. Work side by side with us at upLIFTT Thrift as we build something beautiful for our neighbors. Call us at (406) 534-1147 to donate, volunteer, or find out what’s new on our shelves!

Let’s make every dollar, every donation, and every visit count. upLIFTT Thrift is more than a store — it’s a way to give back, liftt up, and shop with purpose. Visit upLIFTT Thrift — your next treasure might be waiting!

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.