The Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners on June 4 approved a contract amendment with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to fund mobile crisis response services and operational costs not otherwise covered by Medicaid or other reimbursements. The council voted 10-1 to concur and place the communication on file and authorized the chief executive to sign the agreement.

Why it matters: Mobile crisis response teams are intended to provide on-scene services for people in behavioral-health crises, offer alternatives to emergency-room transport and reduce arrests and jailing for people in crisis. The funding will support service costs, community outreach and efforts to increase utilization of mobile crisis providers.

Karen Malogni, Butte-Silver Bow Health Department, told the council the Board of Health approved a draft in April and the finalized contract required timely signature to avoid losing the funding. The amendment covers up to $362,185 for services and operational costs, with contract dates listed through June 30, 2026.

Chief Executive Gallagher and multiple commissioners said the mobile response team is an important tool for keeping people out of emergency rooms and jails. Commissioners voted to concur and place the contract on file to allow the chief executive to sign; recorded vote was 10 yay, 1 nay.

Ending: The council concurred with the urgency explained by health staff and approved the amendment to secure the funding; staff indicated they will route the agreement through the county's signatory process and report back to the council as required.