Our Mission

To enhance the independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion of individuals and their families, and to improve the quality of life for people with severe disabilities, especially those individuals living in Montana and other rural areas of the country.

The Rural Institute works to …

• advance the capability of rural health and human services so that people with disabilities who live in rural areas receive appropriate, age-relevant services to maximize their potential in the least restrictive setting.
• increase opportunities for people with disabilities living in rural areas to enhance their quality of life by taking advantage of independent and integrated living, education, employment, leisure, recreation, and other life opportunities.
• increase the awareness of professionals, consumers, families, and the general public to the needs, abilities, and accomplishments of persons with disabilities.
• organize programmatic efforts around the University Affiliated Program areas of (1) interdisciplinary training; (2) community services and supports; (3) training and information dissemination; (4) exemplary services; and (5) applied research. 

Goals of the Rural Institute

The following goals are comprised of required core areas of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities and additional key areas identified by the Rural Institute.

• Interdisciplinary Education: Increase the availability, accessibility, quality, and quantity of a wide range of health, education, and human service professionals and paraprofessionals to deliver comprehensive, consumer-oriented services for people with disabilities and their families in rural settings by providing transdisciplinary education and training at the pre-service and in-service levels.
• Research and Evaluation: Advance the knowledge of disability as it is experienced in rural areas, and to discover, develop, and evaluate methods for assisting individuals with disabilities living in rural areas to lead healthy, integrated, and productive lives in their communities.
• Community Services and Supports: Enhance the ability of states, communities, organizations, and individuals to deliver supports and services to people with disabilities and their families that promote their full inclusion within rural settings by providing systematic training and technical assistance and demonstrating innovative supports and services.
• Dissemination: Increase the knowledge and awareness of consumers, service providers, professionals, policymakers, and the general public by disseminating information on issues and practices that are designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families living in rural areas.
• Constituency Involvement and Diversity: Enhance the ability of the Rural Institute and other organizations to be consumer-responsive, family-focused, and sensitive to the cultural heritage and values of people with disabilities and their families by developing appropriate procedures and practices.
• Leveraging: Increase access to resources that support programs and services for people with disabilities and their families by identifying potential funding sources, developing and submitting grant and contract applications, and recovering costs associated with the delivery of services and training.
• Administration: Create and maintain an effective and efficient organizational operation to meet the Rural Institute mission by providing administrative support for all subordinate projects and activities.