Blog - Page 2 of 52

From Institutions to Independence

Sometimes success looks like a number on a spreadsheet. More often, it looks like a door opening to a new home.

At LIFTT, we are proud to share that our Money Follows the Person (MFP) program is not just active; it is thriving. Thanks to the dedication, expertise, and persistence of Dineva Bower, individuals across our service area are transitioning from institutional settings into homes of their own.

This work is changing lives, one move at a time.

What Is Money Follows the Person (MFP)?

Money Follows the Person is a Medicaid-funded program designed to help people who are living in nursing facilities or other institutional settings return to the community. The program recognizes a simple but powerful truth: most people want to live in their own homes, not institutions, when the right supports are in place.

MFP helps make that possible by:

Supporting the transition from an institution to community living.
Assisting with housing search and move-in coordination.
Helping individuals access the services and supports they need to live independently.
Providing transition funding that follows the person, not the institution.

In plain terms, MFP helps people move home and stay there successfully.

What Success Looks Like at LIFTT

Through the work of LIFTT’s MFP team, individuals are moving into safe, stable housing and reclaiming control over their lives. Each transition represents not just a change of address, but a shift toward dignity, choice, and independence.

Behind every successful move is careful planning, advocacy, coordination, and trust. Dineva Bower, working closely with Pamela Ramirez and Holly Hanson, has been leading this effort with remarkable skill and commitment. Together, they turned a complex program into real outcomes for real people.

This progress also strengthens LIFTT’s ability to continue and expand services, ensuring that the program remains sustainable and responsive to community needs.

Who May Qualify for MFP?

You or someone you know may qualify for the Money Follows the Person program if they:

Are enrolled in Medicaid
Are currently living in a nursing facility or other qualifying institutional setting
Want to move back into the community
Can live safely in the community with appropriate supports

Every situation is different, and eligibility is determined individually. Asking questions is the first step.

Why MFP Matters

Living in the community is about more than housing. It is about choice, autonomy, and belonging. MFP allows individuals to:

Live closer to family and friends
Make everyday decisions about their own lives
Participate more fully in their communities
Rebuild independence after long periods of institutionalization

This is what independent living looks like in action.

Know Someone Who Might Benefit? Or Think You Might Qualify?

If you think you or someone you know may qualify for the Money Follows the Person program, we encourage you to reach out to Dineva Bower, LIFTT’s MFP Regional Transition Coordinator at (406) 831-0037 or dinevab@liftt.org. Referrals are welcome, and conversations are confidential.

Sometimes independence begins with a single conversation. At LIFTT, we are ready to have it.

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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Understanding Eligibility for Self Directed Personal Assistance Services

The Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services Program (SDPAS), also known as the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) program, is one of the most empowering services available through Montana Medicaid. It is designed to give individuals greater choice, control, and flexibility over the personal assistance they receive in their daily lives.

Through SDPAS, eligible individuals can hire, train, and manage their own personal care assistants, including trusted family members or friends. This approach recognizes that people know their own needs best and should have a meaningful say in who supports them and how that support is provided.

What Is the Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services Program?

The Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services Program is sponsored by Montana Medicaid and intended for individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living due to a disability, chronic condition, or functional limitation. These activities may include personal care, mobility support, meal preparation, or other tasks necessary for independent living.

Unlike traditional agency-based care, SDPAS allows participants to:

Choose who provides their care
Set schedules that work for their lives
Direct how services are delivered

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services Program in Montana, an individual must generally meet the following criteria:

Be enrolled in Montana Medicaid: Participation in SDPAS requires active Montana Medicaid coverage. Some individuals may need to be enrolled in a specific Medicaid category, often referred to as Standard Medicaid.
Have a documented need for personal assistance services: Eligibility is based on functional needs. This means the individual must require assistance with daily activities due to disability, health condition, or limitation that affects independent living.
Complete a functional assessment: Montana Medicaid uses an assessment process to determine the type and level of assistance needed. This assessment helps establish whether SDPAS is appropriate and how many service hours may be authorized.
Be able to direct their own services or have a representative: Participants must be able to manage their services independently or designate a representative, such as a family member or trusted individual, to help make decisions and manage care on their behalf.

Who Can Be a Personal Care Assistant?

One of the most flexible aspects of SDPAS is the ability to choose your own personal care assistant. In many cases, this may include:

Family members
Friends
Trusted members of the community

Caregivers must meet program requirements and complete necessary training and paperwork, but the program recognizes that support often comes from people who already know and understand the individual’s needs.

Important Things to Know

SDPAS is a Medicaid program, so eligibility and approvals are determined by Montana Medicaid, not by LIFTT or other service providers.
Approval timelines can vary, and it may take time to complete applications and assessments.
Eligibility decisions are based on individual circumstances and documented need.

Even if someone is not immediately eligible, learning about the program can help individuals plan ahead and understand future options.

How LIFTT Can Help

Navigating Medicaid programs can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. LIFTT provides information, guidance, and support to help individuals understand SDPAS eligibility, application steps, and alternative resources when needed. Our role is to empower people with knowledge, clarify options, and support informed decision-making. Whether someone is ready to apply or simply exploring possibilities, LIFTT is here to help.

If you have any questions about the SDPAS Program, or if you would like assistance with applying, please feel free to contact Kaara Sarabia, SDPAS (PCA) Program Assistant Manager, at (406) 831-0023 or kaaras@liiftt.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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Change, Challenge and the Work of Becoming Stronger

Change is rarely announced in advance, and it almost never arrives neatly packaged. More often, it shows up as uncertainty, disruption, or a difficult question we did not expect to face. Over time, I have come to believe that change is not something to be feared or avoided. It is something to be engaged, examined, and, when possible, shaped with intention.

At LIFTT, change has been a constant companion.

Like many nonprofit organizations, we have faced moments when the future felt uncertain. There were periods when funding was unstable and difficult decisions had to be made. Questions about sustainability, staffing, and long-term viability were not theoretical. They were real, immediate, and deeply felt. In those moments, the challenge was not only financial. It was human. How do you keep a team together when the path forward is unclear? How do you preserve morale, trust, and purpose when certainty is in short supply?

What carried us through those times was a shared commitment to the mission and a willingness to adapt rather than retreat. Instead of allowing uncertainty to divide us, we chose to communicate openly, think creatively, and stay anchored in why LIFTT exists in the first place: to support independence, dignity, and opportunity for the people we serve.

Those challenges pushed us to rethink how we sustain our work. We began exploring alternative sources of income, including offering certain services for a fee when appropriate and aligned with our mission. This was not a departure from our values. It was an expansion of how we live them. By diversifying LIFTT’s revenue, we strengthened our ability to remain responsive, flexible, and resilient.

We also invested in building new programs that would both serve our community and strengthen organizational stability. Establishing our Vocational Rehabilitation services and participating in the Money Follows the Person program required persistence, learning, and coordination. These efforts did not happen overnight. They required navigating complex systems, developing expertise, and earning trust. Today, they stand as examples of how thoughtful growth can deepen impact while reinforcing sustainability.

At the same time, we committed ourselves to actively seeking new grants and private funding opportunities. This meant telling our story more clearly, building new partnerships, and articulating not only what we do, but why it matters. It meant being proactive rather than reactive, and strategic rather than tentative. Over time, those efforts have strengthened LIFTT’s foundation and expanded what is possible.

Each of these challenges shaped us. They sharpened our vision. They taught us that resilience is not about avoiding difficulty, but about responding to it with clarity, courage, and collaboration.

Looking ahead, I see an organization that is stronger precisely because it has been tested. I see a team that understands change not as a threat, but as an invitation to innovate. I see programs like RideWell emerging not in spite of past challenges, but because of the lessons we learned along the way.

The future will bring new questions and new uncertainties. That is inevitable. What gives me confidence is knowing how this organization responds when the path is not obvious. We respond by listening, adapting, and moving forward together.

Thank you to our staff, partners, supporters, and the individuals we serve for being part of this ongoing journey. The work of independence, inclusion, and community is never finished, but it is work worth doing. Together, we will continue to meet change with intention and build a future grounded in possibility.

Carlos A. Ramalho, Executive Director of Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT)

(406) 294-5190, carlosr@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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

RideWell is Almost Here

For many people, transportation will seem like a simple, everyday convenience. For individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people living on limited incomes, especially in rural Eastern Montana, transportation will determine whether independence is possible or whether isolation becomes unavoidable.

At Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT), this reality will be visible every day. When transportation is unavailable, medical appointments will be missed, preventive care will be delayed, employment opportunities will disappear, and people will become isolated in their own homes. Over time, the lack of mobility will directly affect health, safety, and overall quality of life.

That is why LIFTT is pleased to share that we will soon be launching RideWell, a new ADA accessible rural transportation program designed to serve communities across Eastern Montana.

Why RideWell Will Matter

LIFTT is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving aging adults and people with disabilities across 18 counties in Southeastern and South Central Montana. In many of these rural areas, public transportation does not exist. Distances between communities are vast, and a single medical appointment can require a round trip of more than 250 miles.

For individuals who use wheelchairs, cannot drive, or live on fixed incomes, those distances are not simply inconvenient. They are barriers that prevent access to essential care and services.

RideWell will be developed in direct response to these challenges. The program will be designed to ensure that people can reach essential medical care, maintain independence, and remain active members of their communities.

What RideWell Will Do

Based in Glendive, Montana, RideWell will provide safe, reliable, and affordable ADA accessible transportation across 11 Eastern Montana counties. Riders will be transported to essential medical appointments and services in communities such as Sidney, Miles City, and Billings, destinations that will be critical for specialty care and ongoing treatment.

RideWell will not simply provide rides. It will support access to health care, strengthen independent living, and reduce the isolation many rural residents face.

Progress Toward Launch

LIFTT will soon reach several important milestones that will bring RideWell closer to operation:

LIFTT has received funding from the Montana Department of Transportation to purchase two ADA-accessible vehicles, including wheelchair-accessible vans.
LIFTT has secured two plots of land in Glendive for the construction of a transportation facility and a vehicle maintenance shop.
Program coordination, planning, and community partnerships will continue to be developed to ensure RideWell launches as a safe, sustainable, and dependable service.

The individuals RideWell will serve will not be strangers. They will be neighbors, family members, coworkers, and long-time residents who contribute to the social and economic life of our communities.

Transportation will be more than a ride. It will be access to care. It will be freedom of choice. It will be independence.

As RideWell moves closer to launch, LIFTT will look forward to working alongside community partners, supporters, and residents to make accessible rural transportation a lasting reality in Eastern Montana.

RideWell at a Glance

Program Name:
RideWell Rural Transportation Program

Operated by:
LIFTT (Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow)

Service Area:
Eleven counties in Eastern Montana, with medical destinations including Sidney, Miles City, and Billings

Who RideWell Will Serve:

Individuals with disabilities
Older adults
Low-income residents with limited transportation options

What RideWell Will Provide:

ADA accessible transportation
Safe and reliable vehicles with wheelchair access
Essential trips to medical care and services

Current Status:

Vehicles funded and scheduled for delivery
Plots of land secured in Glendive
Facility planning underway
Program launch approaching

Help Build the Road Ahead

RideWell will soon become a reality, and community support will be essential to ensure its long-term success. You can be part of this effort by:

Partnering with LIFTT to support accessible rural transportation
Contributing toward the construction of the RideWell transportation facility
Sharing information about RideWell to raise awareness of transportation needs in rural Montana

Together, we will help ensure that people across Eastern Montana can access the transportation they need to live independently, stay healthy, and remain connected to their communities. To learn more or get involved in RideWell, please contact our Transportation Coordinator, Tina Carter, at (406) 948-1503 or tinac@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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Empowerment Begins with Information

At Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT), success is not measured only by the services someone receives. It is also measured by the knowledge gained, the options clarified, and the confidence restored. Sometimes, empowerment begins with a conversation.

In January 2026, Myra, a 76-year-old woman living in Billings, reached out to LIFTT as she prepared for an upcoming arm surgery. Like many individuals facing a temporary or sudden change in physical ability, she was thinking ahead and exploring how she might receive support during her recovery. In particular, she wanted to understand whether LIFTT’s Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services (SDPAS) program could allow family members to be compensated for helping care for her after surgery.

From her very first contact with LIFTT, Myra was met with clear information, respect, and transparency. LIFTT staff explained how the SDPAS program works, including eligibility requirements, and helped her understand that participation requires enrollment in Standard Montana Medicaid. When it became clear that Myra was not currently enrolled in Standard Medicaid, staff did not simply end the conversation. Instead, they explored next steps with her, shared additional caregiving resources in the community, and offered assistance with the Medicaid application process should she choose to move forward.

Just days before her surgery, Myra connected with an Independent Living Specialist to begin discussing longer-term options. After surgery, as she recovered and assessed her needs, she ultimately decided that pursuing Medicaid enrollment and formal caregiving services might not be necessary for her situation. Importantly, this decision was informed, thoughtful, and made on her own terms.

That is what independence looks like.

Even though Myra did not ultimately enroll in services, her experience reflects what LIFTT strives to provide every individual who contacts us: access to information, honest guidance, and respect for personal choice. She walked away with a clearer understanding of her options, greater confidence in navigating complex systems, and the reassurance that support is available if and when she needs it.

Stories like Myra’s also help LIFTT identify broader challenges that affect many people across Montana, including delays in Medicaid processing, gaps in post-surgical support options, and the need for systems that respond more quickly when individuals require short-term assistance. These insights strengthen our advocacy efforts and inform our vision for the future.

LIFTT exists to ensure people can make informed decisions about their lives, care, and independence. We serve individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. LIFTT does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or economic status. Everyone deserves access to information, opportunity, and the tools needed to live independently.

Whether someone receives services for years, for a season, or simply for a conversation, LIFTT is here. Empowerment begins with being heard, and every journey toward independence starts somewhere.

If you or someone you know has questions about independent living, caregiving options, or community resources, LIFTT is ready to help.

For More Information

If you would like to learn more about LIFTT’s programs and services, please contact one of our offices:

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT)

Billings Office
1241 Crawford Drive
Billings, MT 59102
Phone: (406) 259 5181

Glendive Office
119 South Kendrick
Glendive, MT 59330
Phone: (406) 948 8500

You may also visit us online at http://www.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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Why what we do at LIFTT Matters

Editor’s Note: LIFTT IL Program Manager Pamela Ramirez offers these thoughts about the importance of the programs and services that LIFTT offers the disability community throughout our 18-county service area.

At LIFTT, our work is grounded in a clear and unwavering conviction: people with disabilities have the right to live full, independent, and self-directed lives. This belief is not abstract. It shapes every conversation we have, every service we provide, and every decision we make. Respect, choice, and dignity are not ideals we reference; they are principles we practice.

What distinguishes LIFTT is not only the resources we offer but the way we stand beside individuals as they navigate complex systems, pivotal life transitions, and deeply personal challenges. Whether someone is learning about their rights, exploring housing options, strengthening independent living skills, or simply seeking a place where they are heard and believed, LIFTT serves as a trusted partner. We meet people where they are, recognize the authority of their lived experience, and support goals defined by the individual, not imposed by systems.

Our work extends far beyond our offices. LIFTT reaches individuals across both urban and rural communities, where access to information and support can be limited, and barriers are often magnified by distance and isolation. For many, LIFTT is the first place they encounter genuine understanding, informed guidance, and a belief in their capacity to shape their own future. That moment matters. It is often where confidence begins to take root.

Progress does not look the same for everyone. For one person, it may mean securing stable housing. For another, it may mean learning to advocate for themselves or regaining a sense of control after a life-altering event. Each step forward, whether large or small, represents increased independence, strengthened self-determination, and renewed hope.

What we do at LIFTT matters because independence is not a single outcome or a fixed destination. It is personal. It evolves. It is built over time through trust, access, and opportunity. When individuals are supported to live life on their own terms, the impact reaches far beyond the individual. Families are strengthened. Communities become more inclusive. Systems begin to change.

As we look toward the future, LIFTT remains committed to expanding access, deepening partnerships, and responding creatively to emerging needs. Our vision is one where independence is not the exception, but the expectation, and where every person has the tools, information, and support needed to thrive.

This work matters because people matter. And when independence is possible, everything else becomes possible too.

If there is anything I can do to support you, answer questions, or help you explore options for independent living, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, Pamela Ramirez, LIFTT IL program manager at (406) 294-5189 or pamelar@liftt.org. I would welcome the opportunity to connect.

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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Data Tells a Story & People Give It Meaning

Editor’s Note: LIFTT’s Data & Quality Control Manager, Freda Mook, talks about how LIFTT uses the data it collects to inform our engagement with our consumers and to make sure we are doing our best to provide them with the programs and services that they want and need in order to become and remain independent.

At LIFTT, data is more than a collection of numbers on a report. It is a living story about people, communities, and the barriers they navigate every day. As one of more than 400 Centers for Independent Living across the United States, we rely on data to guide decisions, evaluate our work, and ensure our services remain responsive, intentional, and equitable.

For many organizations, data begins and ends with statistics. At LIFTT, that is where the story starts.

When we look beyond totals and percentages, data reveals patterns of need, access, and opportunity. It shows us where people are reaching out for support, which services are in highest demand, and how experiences can differ across geography, disability type, or life circumstance. It helps us see not only what is happening, but where gaps exist and where new challenges may be emerging.

But numbers alone never tell the whole story.

What data cannot explain on its own is why those patterns exist. That understanding comes from the people behind the data: their lived experiences, their goals, and the systems they are navigating. When data is paired with human insight, it becomes a powerful tool for learning, reflection, and action.

In my role as Data Manager at LIFTT, I review service outcomes and participation data every day. As I analyze reports on program engagement, goal attainment, and service utilization, patterns begin to emerge. With those patterns come questions that matter.

Why were only eight veterans served during this reporting period? Why is “not employed, not seeking” the most common employment status reported? Out of 240 individuals served, only 15 reported being employed full-time. These numbers do not represent failure. They represent opportunity. They invite us to ask whether employment initiatives are reaching the right people, and whether barriers such as transportation access, workplace accommodations, health limitations, or benefit-related concerns are influencing employment decisions.

Income data tells another important chapter of the story. A significant number of individuals reported annual incomes between $0 and $5,000. This reinforces what we see every day in our work: economic insecurity remains a major barrier to independence. These insights strengthen our commitment to benefits counseling, resource navigation, and advocacy efforts that support greater stability and choice.

Sometimes data surprises us. During this reporting period, only three individuals sought assistance with Assistive Technology services. At first glance, that number raises concern. But data encourages curiosity, not assumptions. It prompts us to ask whether community partners are meeting this need effectively, or whether additional outreach and education may be necessary. Understanding the reason behind the number is what allows us to respond thoughtfully.

At LIFTT, data is not a compliance requirement or an administrative task. It is a tool for accountability, learning, and growth. When combined with direct consumer feedback and lived experience, data helps us adapt services, improve outcomes, and plan intentionally for the future.

Most importantly, data reminds us why our work matters. Every number represents a person. Every trend reflects a lived reality. And every insight brings us one step closer to building systems that truly support independence, dignity, and opportunity.

When we listen carefully to what the data is telling us and honor the people behind it, we create space for meaningful, lasting change.

If you have questions about how data informs LIFTT’s programs and services, or if you would like to learn more about our approach to data quality and impact, please feel free to contact LIFTT’s data and quality control manager, Freda Mook, at (406) 294-5182 or fredam@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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

LIFTT Receives Community Support from Glendive Medical Center

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT), a nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving South Central and Eastern Montana, is pleased to announce it has received a generous donation from Glendive Medical Center (GMC) in support of LIFTT’s mission to promote independence, accessibility, and community inclusion for people with disabilities living in rural Montana.

Glendive Medical Center is a nonprofit, 25-bed critical access hospital and medical center located in Glendive, Montana. Serving as a Level IV Community Trauma Hospital, GMC provides 24-hour emergency care, surgical services, and a broad range of specialty and outpatient services, including behavioral health, oncology, radiology, and primary care. The medical center also operates a 36-bed skilled nursing and extended care facility, meeting the comprehensive healthcare needs of eastern Montana’s rural communities.

This contribution reflects a shared commitment between LIFTT and GMC to improving quality of life, health outcomes, and independence for individuals across the region, particularly those facing disability-related barriers and it will support LIFTT’s ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program called RideWell.

“We are deeply grateful to Glendive Medical Center for this support and for its ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of rural Montanans,” said Carlos Ramalho, Executive Director of LIFTT. “Healthcare and independent living services are closely connected. When people have access to both, communities are stronger, healthier, and more inclusive.”

LIFTT also extends its congratulations to Mr. Parker Powell, CEO of Glendive Medical Center, who, as of January 2026, also serves as Board Chair of the Montana Hospital Association. Mr. Powell has been widely recognized for his leadership and dedication to advancing healthcare access and innovation in rural Montana.

“We congratulate Parker Powell on his continued leadership and wish him great success in his role at Glendive Medical Center and with the Montana Hospital Association,” said Tina Carter, Transportation Coordinator of LIFTT. “His commitment to strengthening healthcare systems across the state aligns closely with LIFTT’s mission to ensure people with disabilities can live independently and with dignity in their own communities.”

As nonprofit organizations serving rural Montana, both LIFTT and Glendive Medical Center recognize the importance of collaboration. This partnership underscores how healthcare providers and independent living organizations can work together to reduce barriers, support community-based solutions, and enhance overall well-being.

About Glendive Medical Center: Glendive Medical Center is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) critical access hospital located at 202 Prospect Drive in Glendive, Montana. Governed by a local Board of Directors, GMC provides full-service acute care, 24/7 emergency services, surgical care, specialty clinics, and long-term care services through its attached skilled nursing facility. GMC is committed to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of eastern Montana’s rural communities.

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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Creative Aging Painting Class @ LIFTT

A Painting Class That Expands Brain Health, Fights Ageism, and Empowers Every Artist

As Americans continue to live longer and healthier lives, research shows that the aging brain is far more adaptable than once believed. Dr. Gene Cohen’s groundbreaking Creativity and Aging Study (2006) revealed that older adults who participate in professionally led arts-learning programs experience improved cognitive functioning, better emotional well-being, and even physical health benefits. His work helped fuel the Creative Aging movement — a movement that embraces artistic expression as a powerful tool for lifelong learning, confidence, and community.

LIFTT is proud to bring this approach to our community through a new Creative Aging acrylic painting class, offered as an extension of our Brain Health program. Supported by a grant from the Montana Arts Council, this class is designed for older adults and people with disabilities of ANY age. Here, everyone is welcome. Brain health is not one-size-fits-all — and neither is creativity.

Brain Health Can Look Like Many Things

Traditional brain health topics — like nutrition, sleep, memory, and exercise — are important, but they are only one piece of the puzzle. Our new Creative Aging class shows participants that brain health can look completely different from what they expect. It can look like:

creativity, curiosity, and imagination
meaningful community and friendships
expressing yourself through color and story
returning to an old hobby you once loved
learning a new skill at your own pace
finding joy, purpose, and confidence
discovering that you can do something you were once told you couldn’t

Many students come in thinking they’re “not artists” or that it’s “too late to learn.” But that’s not true. If someone told you that you can’t — they were wrong. If you want to, you can. This class exists to prove that.

Inclusive for the Aging AND Disabled Community

LIFTT is committed to accessibility and inclusion. This isn’t a class only for older adults — it is equally designed for people with disabilities of any age, beginners, experienced artists, and anyone who simply wants to explore creativity and brain health in a supportive environment.

Art has no age limit. Creativity has no ability requirement.
Everyone is an artist here.

What the Class Includes: A 10-Week Painting Journey

This Creative Aging program is a structured 10-session acrylic painting course, taught by a trained teaching artist. It blends brain health learning with hands-on art instruction, community connection, and freedom of expression.

Painting Skills Students Will Learn

Color mixing and understanding paint
Layering, shading, and blending
Composition and layout
Developing your own style

Self-Paced & Choice-Based

Every learner is different. The class adapts to each student’s pace, comfort level, and goals. You also get to choose what you paint, including:

landscapes
portraits
animals
memories
abstract pieces
or any subject that inspires you

This freedom encourages creativity while still offering professional support every step of the way.

Fighting Ageism Through Art & Learning

Ageism — the assumption that older adults can’t learn, grow, create, or improve — is widespread and harmful. This class challenges those beliefs directly.

Each session includes discussions about:

Aging with strength and dignity
The power of lifelong learning
How creativity supports brain health
Valuing people for their potential, not their limitations
Seeing each other as artists, not labels

This program helps participants replace stereotypes with confidence, ability, and pride.

How Art Supports Brain Health

Painting benefits the brain in multiple ways:

Cognitive Benefits

Increases neuroplasticity
Strengthens memory and focus
Supports problem-solving and planning
Improves fine motor coordination

Emotional & Mental Health Benefits

Reduces stress and anxiety
Boosts mood and self-esteem
Provides emotional expression
Creates a sense of purpose and accomplishment

Social Benefits

Reduces loneliness and isolation
Builds friendships and community connections
Encourages shared learning and support
Creates a positive identity as an artist

This program is brain training wrapped in joy.

Week 11: Community Art Show / Open House

After the 10-week course, LIFTT will host a Week 11 Art Show and Open House to celebrate the hard work and creativity of every student.

Family, friends, staff, and community members will be invited to view the artwork, meet the artists, and appreciate the beauty of Creative Aging in action. Students get the chance to shine, share their stories, and take pride in what they have created.

A Class That Honors Every Brain, Every Ability, and Every Story

By offering this Creative Aging painting class, LIFTT is expanding what brain health looks like and breaking down barriers around aging and disability. We are creating a space where adults can:

learn new skills
Reconnect with old passions
express themselves freely
fight isolation
build lasting friendships
and discover the artist within

This class is not just about painting — it’s about empowerment, wellness, community, and rediscovering what you’re capable of. If you want to create, you can. If you want to grow, you can. And at LIFTT, you are welcome just as you are.

For more information about the Creative Aging Painting Class and other brain health initiatives at LIFTT, please contact Eileen Rodriguez at (406) 294-5185, or 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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

LIFTT Awarded AgWest Farm Credit Rural Community Grant

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT), a nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving South Central and Southeastern Montana, is pleased to announce it has been awarded $2,500 through AgWest Farm Credit’s Rural Community Grant Program. The funds will support LIFTT’s ongoing efforts to strengthen accessibility, independence, and community inclusion for people with disabilities living in rural Montana communities.

The grant will directly contribute to LIFTT’s community-based initiatives focused on reducing barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly in rural areas where access to services, transportation, and resources is often limited. Through this funding, LIFTT will continue advancing programs that promote independent living, dignity, and equitable participation in community life.

“This generous support from AgWest Farm Credit is an investment in rural independence and inclusion,” said Carlos Ramalho, Executive Director of LIFTT. “For the communities we serve, even modest funding can have a meaningful impact, helping ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind simply because of where they live. We are deeply grateful for AgWest’s commitment to rural vitality and accessibility.

“Rural communities face unique transportation challenges, especially for people with disabilities and older adults,” said Tina A. Carter, Transportation Coordinator at LIFTT. “This funding from AgWest Farm Credit helps us strengthen local solutions that increase access to essential services, reduce isolation, and support independent living across Eastern Montana. We’re grateful for AgWest’s commitment to rural communities and to the people who rely on accessible transportation to remain connected and independent.”

About AgWest: AgWest Farm Credit’s Rural Community Grant Program provides funding to nonprofit organizations for projects that improve rural communities across Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Supported initiatives include building or improving facilities, purchasing essential equipment, and funding capital improvements that enhance community infrastructure, long-term viability, and prosperity.

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 device.

Our Vision: Empowering aging and disabled individuals to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.

Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow – LIFTT’s mission is to empower aging and disabled individuals to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.