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MSU Extension proposes one‑day‑a‑week Browning outreach after SNAP‑Ed cuts; county weighs part‑time admin support
Summary
After SNAP‑Ed funding ended Sept. 30, MSU Extension presented a plan to operate in Browning one day per week to deliver food‑safety, nutrition and youth mental‑health programming; commissioners discussed budget impacts and possible cost‑share or intern options for administrative coverage.
MSU Extension staff told Glacier County commissioners they plan to expand outreach in Browning to fill gaps left when SNAP‑Ed funding ended on Sept. 30.
An MSU Extension agent (identified in the discussion as Lisa; last name not specified on the record) outlined a proposal to spend one day a week in Browning offering food‑safety and ServSafe certification courses, diabetes education, seasonal food‑preservation classes, and K–12 mental‑health programming. "My proposal is to be able to go there one day a week and, fill in the gaps," she said, noting partnerships with Indian Health Service for kitchen space and potential school collaborations for classroom programming.
Commissioners asked whether the county would need to add personnel or an administrative assistant if the agent spends time in Browning. County staff gave a range of estimated costs for a part‑time hire, including employer contributions, and discussed options including starting with one day per week, using an MSU‑paid intern during peak periods or seeking cost‑share agreements with other local institutions such as the museum or library.
Extension representatives said MSU currently pays part of agent salaries and that the county also contributes; adding a county administrative position would likely require a budget amendment if not already included in the preliminary budget. Commissioners urged extension staff to review line‑item budgets with Chancey (county finance) and to return with a concrete cost plan. The group also discussed using existing allocated summer help funds or writing for grants to cover start‑up administrative costs.
The commission did not vote on staffing or budget changes at the meeting; staff were asked to follow up with budget analyses and possible cost‑share proposals. The commissioners expressed support for increasing outreach but asked that any personnel or budget requests be clearly documented before formal action.
Next steps: Extension staff will work with county finance to identify where part‑time administrative support might be funded or whether a phased approach (one day per week initially) and intern usage would be feasible; any formal personnel additions would require a budget amendment and return to the commission for approval.
