In order for medical research to benefit us, we need to be included in the data that research is based on. This simple idea inspired the All of Us Research Program, the research initiative from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). By gathering health data about one million or more people living in the United States, especially from those historically underrepresented in biomedical research, All of Us will usher in a new era of precision medicine. The goal is to help doctors choose the most effective treatments based on an individual’s background, genetics, and lifestyle. But what does precision medicine look like in real life? What does it look like for Montanans?

There are many things we treasure about living in the Last Best Place. Wide open spaces, pristine wilderness, a slower pace of life, and knowing our neighbors. These are benefits we enjoy here, all of which contribute to our quality of life. But there are downsides to living off the beaten path. People in rural states are often overlooked by experts when major health and wellness studies take place. And when data about us is missing, it can't drive the policies and protocols that affect our lives.

Mark your calendars: All of Us webinar and Twitter chat

It might almost be Halloween, but no tricks here! Mark your calendars for these two upcoming All of Us events co-hosted by the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities. After a morning Twitter chat, join the 1.5 hour webinar, which will feature presentations from local Montana disability advocate speakers Bob Liston and Marsha Katz of ADAPT Montana, as well as a presentation from Dr. Erica Woodhal, a professor in the University of Montana’s Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities (RIIC) staff, students, and community partners will be participating in a series of presentations at the University of Montana as part of the School of Public & Community Health Sciences seminar program for students, staff and faculty. The 16 week graduate seminar is part of UM’s Public Health doctoral program aimed to educate and equip students with the skills and expertise to improve public health at the community level and around the world.

October 4, 2018—Health Care Transitions for Youth/Young Adults with Disabilities
October 18, 2018—Walkable communities for all: Using inclusive, interdisciplinary walk audit workshops to achieve health equity
November 8, 2018—Geographic Methods for Application in Public Health

Learn more at: https://rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/um-public-health-grad-seminar/

 

 

 

 

The 2018 Community Investment Fund ($2000) award will be shared by two recipients, Flathead High School in Kalispell and Quality Life Concepts in Great Falls.

Flathead High School will use the money to help purchase supplies for their Braves Coffee Company School-based Enterprise. This new business will feature students with and without disabilities working side-by-side to plan, market and operate the coffee company. Several community partners are collaborating with the high school to provide personnel training, discounted supplies, and mentoring. 

Quality Life Concepts will apply their award toward expenses for their Community Recreation Co-ed Softball Team. The 40-person team includes clients with disabilities served by QLC, staff, and community members. All team members play, rotating throughout the game so that everyone has a turn at defense and at batting. They also have a team photographer who takes pictures for the team’s Facebook page.

Learn More about the Community Investment Fund

University of Montana Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities

Joins NIH in Launching the All of Us Research Program to Advance Precision Medicine

On May 6^th, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will open national enrollment for the All of Us Research Program - a momentous effort to advance individualized prevention, treatment and care for people of all backgrounds, including people with disabilities. The All of us Research Program is a historic effort to gather data from one (1) million or more people living in the United States to accelerate research and improve health.

After working for several years as a research assistant for the Montana Disability and Health program at the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, and completing her Master’s in Public Health at UM, Helen Russette went to work for the Missoula City-County Health Department (MCCHD). There, she aided in the development of a community health needs assessment (CHA) process that fully includes representatives of marginalized populations. She recently shared this work in February 2018 article published with co-author, Robin Nielson-Cerquone, MJ, MCCHD Accreditation Specialist, on the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) website.  

The article, “An Inclusive Community Health Assessment Process,” details steps taken to ensure inclusive and meaningful participation in the process. Recruitment strategies to increase the diversity of participants and the positive outcomes are described. In fall 2018, Helen, who grew up on the Rocky Boy Reservation (Chippewa-Cree Tribe), returned to UM as a doctoral student in the School of Public and Community Health Sciences.

Congratulations to Molly Kimmel, a 2017-2018 URLEND Graduate! Molly will stay on next year to coordinate URLEND training, research and clinical service opportunities for Montana trainees in various locations across the state.

Molly completed over 300 hours of didactic, clinical and research hours. She is an occupational therapist at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, MT. We are DELIGHTED to have Molly join the Rural Institute family.

For more information about URLEND, visit: www.urlend.org

April 10th Webinar, Tuesday, April 10, 2018
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM MDT
Reserve your webinar seat now

It is never too early to start thinking about and planning for your child's future, especially if your child experiences a disability and will need ongoing support to access their quality adult life.

Intended audience:  Parents and other family members of youth/young adults with disabilities, teachers, and individuals who support young people in their transition to adult life.

 

 

The University of Montana’s School of Journalism presents a film about children in Montana diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their search for help and structure after aging out of the school system and entering adulthood.

Free screening, Friday April 13, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Screening followed by Q & A

University of Montana Campus, Continuing Education Conference Center, James Todd Building, Room 204

The Montana Transition Resources project, funded by Children’s Special Health Services, is pleased to announce four webinars scheduled for the 2018 school year. Interested individuals may participate from their own offices or homes, and there is no registration cost for any of the sessions.

Transition from School to a Full Adult Life Part 1: 3/27/18 from 1-2:30

Transition from School to a Full Adult Life Part 2: 4/10/18 from 1-2:30

Alternatives to Guardianship: 5/1/18 from 1-2:30

Healthcare Transition: TBD from 1-2:30

This project is funded in whole or in part under a contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Department.

View PDF of calendar