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Vocational Rehabilitation Services Available at LIFTT

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) is proud to share that we are now an official provider of Vocational Rehabilitation services. This important step expands our mission of empowering people with disabilities to live not only safely and independently at home, but also with dignity and purpose in the workplace.

Vocational Rehabilitation, often referred to as VR, is designed to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain meaningful employment. At its core, the program is about more than paychecks or job titles. Work is an essential part of independence. It enables people to build confidence, achieve financial stability, and become more fully engaged in their community life. For many, finding the right job is the moment when independence truly begins to blossom.

Through LIFTT’s new role as a VR service provider, individuals can receive help exploring career options, building skills through training or education, and connecting with job opportunities. We also assist with workplace accommodations and provide follow-up support to ensure that employment is both successful and sustainable. Every person’s journey is unique. Some may be entering the workforce for the first time, others may be returning after illness or injury, and still others may be looking to move forward after years of underemployment. Whatever the path, LIFTT is here to walk alongside you.

Work matters because it is about belonging. It is about being recognized as a valuable member of society, contributing talents and skills, and shaping a future that reflects personal dreams. By becoming a VR service provider, LIFTT is making sure that individuals with disabilities in our region have the chance to pursue that future with dignity and confidence.

For more information about Vocational Rehabilitation services at LIFTT, please contact:

Tonnette Jensen
Vocational Rehabilitation/Pre-ETS Program Supervisor
Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT)
119 S Kendrick Ave, Glendive, MT 59330
Main: (406) 948-8500 | Direct: (406) 948-8505
Email: tonnettej@liftt.org

At LIFTT, we believe that meaningful work leads to meaningful independence—and we are here to help you find both.

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.

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.

Annual Meeting is October 5

The Board of Directors of Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 7, 2025, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Billings LIFTT office (1241 Crawford Drive). The public is invited to attend and offer comments during the designated public comment period. The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to elect new board officers for Fiscal Year 2026.

Click here to view or download the agenda for the October 5, 2025 Annual Meeting of the LIFTT Board of Directors (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.

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.

Volunteer or Partner with LIFTT!

The truth is that LIFTT can’t do it alone!

Join Us and Be Part of the Movement!

We believe in community-powered independence. Whether you can give a couple of hours a month, share your skills, or attend our events to offer support, your involvement matters. Volunteers help us stretch our resources, deepen our impact, and keep the spirit of independence alive in Montana.

Here are a few ways to get involved

Volunteer: Help with events, outreach, or office support
Partner: If you represent a business or community group, let’s collaborate.
Spread the Word: Share our story with friends, family, and neighbors.

Together, we can ensure that independence isn’t just a value we talk about—it’s a reality we build, side by side. To learn more or sign up to volunteer, please call or visit us at 1241 Crawford Drive, Billings, MT 59102 · (406) 259-5181, or 119 South Kendrick, Glendive, MT 59330 · (406) 948-8500, or online at liftt.org.

At LIFTT, survival isn’t just about keeping the lights on; it’s about shining brighter. With your help, we will.

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.

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.

MFP: A New Path Home with LIFTT

A new program at LIFTT, Money Follows the Person (MFP), creates a pathway for elders and individuals with disabilities to transition out of nursing homes and other institutions, receiving services and supports in their own homes and communities. (stock image)

Sometimes “home” isn’t where you are. Sometimes, it’s where you wish you could be. For many aging Montanans currently living in nursing homes, the desire to move into a more independent, community-based setting, like assisted living, is strong, but the barriers feel impossible.

That’s where Money Follows the Person (MFP) comes in. And now, thanks to a new partnership, LIFTT – Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow is bringing this program to Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone Counties.

What is Money Follows the Person?

MFP is a Medicaid program with a simple but powerful vision: help people transition from institutional care back into community living. For older adults who have spent at least 60 consecutive days in a nursing home, MFP offers both practical assistance and peace of mind during the move to a more independent setting.

This isn’t just a program about dollars. It’s about dignity. It’s about helping people say, “Yes, I can live where I want, with the services and supports I need.”

How does it work?

Participants receive support with essential moving costs, such as rent deposits, furnishings, or past-due utilities. Beyond logistics, MFP also provides assistive technology, peer support, and home modifications to ensure the transition is both safe and sustainable. For the first year in your new setting, case managers check in regularly, ensuring that independence never feels like isolation.

Why does this matter?

For too long, many Montanans have felt “stuck” in nursing homes and other institutions, even when their hearts and hopes pointed elsewhere. MFP changes that narrative. It recognizes that people are more than their care needs; they are neighbors, storytellers, and members of a community who thrive best when given the freedom to choose where they live.

Is MFP for me or my loved one?

If you or a loved one is currently in a nursing home and wondering if assisted living could be the next chapter, LIFTT’s MFP Regional Transitional Coordinators are here to walk beside you. For more information, contact either Pamela Ramirez at (406) 294-5189, pamelar@liftt.org, or Dineva Bower at (406) 831-0037, dinevab@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.

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.

Community Vaccine Clinic September 30

LIFTT and RiverStone Health will sponsor a community vaccine clinic on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. at LIFTT’s Billings office (1241 Crawford Drive)

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT), in partnership with RiverStone Health, will hold a community vaccine clinic on Tuesday, September 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Billings LIFTT office (1241 Crawford Drive).

Vaccines scheduled to be available include Influenza, COVID, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap), Shingles, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Human papillomavirus (HPV). Medicare, Medicaid, and private Insurance cover all of these vaccinations. Patients wishing to use insurance must present their insurance card before immunization.

Doses of the Tdap, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, COVID, HPV, and Flu vaccines are available free of charge to those without healthcare coverage on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the September 30 Community Vaccine Clinic and LIFTT’s work on vaccine access, please contact LIFTT at (406) 259-5181 or visit liftt.org/contact.

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.

DECIDE Classes begin October 10

LIFTT invites individuals experiencing Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Heart Failure to join us for a FREE course called the DECIDE Self-Management Program. The classes will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Fridays, from October 10 to December 5, 2025 (no class on Friday, November 28). To make DECIDE available to our entire service area, the sessions will be Hybrid, with the in-person classes being held at the Billings LIFTT Office (1241 Crawford Drive) and live-streamed using Microsoft Teams.

Designed with funding from the National Institutes of Health, DECIDE is an evidence-based self-management support program designed to help participants tackle real-life barriers and improve their health outcomes. Topics covered by the DECIDE program include:

Nutrition & Meal Planning,
Physical Activity Strategies,
Managing Stress
Buliding Confidence
Communicating Effectively with Health Care Providers

DECIDE at LIFTT is made possible through a grant provided by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. For more information about DECIDE or to register for the session, which begins Friday, October 10, please contact LIFTT’s Nutritional Health Coach, Eileen Rodriguez, at (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.

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.