Mike Flaherty

Projects / Teams

• Adult Community Support Services

Bio

Michael is currently serving in his sixth year with the Rural Institute at the University of Montana. He currently serves as a Project Director for the RILLMI project (Rural Independent Living Leadership Initiative). He works collaboratively with Co-Project Director Linda Gonzales, CEO of APRIL (Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living). RILLMI will soon enter the fourth year of its five-year commitment to provide intensive program management mentoring to qualified Independent Living Centers serving customers in rural America. He currently trains nationally on a variety of management and disability topics within the scope of the current RILLMI project as well as independently.

Prior to his current service with the Rural Institute Michael has worked twenty-five years in a variety of disability professions, including developmental disabilities, mental health services, Upward Bound/Outreach, and also a brief stint with Easter Seals Programs for children with physical disabilities.

During this twenty-five year period he served as CEO for two large rehabilitation centers, as Executive Director for a regional mental health center, and also as coordinator for Western Montana Mental Health Services Community Vocational Support Program. Within this time frame Michael has also performed an extensive amount of direct service delivery to a broad constituency within the community representing disabled individuals.

Michael received his Master of Science Degree as a Rehabilitation Specialist from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa in 1985. His undergraduate work was done at Mount Marty College, Yankton, South Dakota in Sociology/Psychology earning his BA in 1973. Additional management coursework (non-degree) has been completed through the University of Montana, Missoula, MT and Drake University.

Michael enjoys swimming, walking, and bicycling. Current interests include playing chess, astronomy, listening to public radio, jazz/R and B music, soccer, and baseball. He and his wife of 28 years Frankie have two daughters; Deirdre, a recent MBA graduate of the University of Montana and Bridget, currently a senior English Major at the University of Portland, Portland, Oregon.

Online Publications

Best Practice: Systematic Instruction
The Job Match: Maximizing Outcomes With Consumers With Mental Illness
Q&A on Staff Retention
Ready Or Not
People with Mental Illness & Unemployment
Choices & Changes:The Montana Rural Employment Initiative (MREI)
Montana Consumer Controlled Careers
Getting, Nurturing, and Keeping Valued Human Service Workers!
Building Capacity with Situational Assessments