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Catalyst for Change offers part‑time community health worker for White Sulphur; county urged to weigh contract cost
Summary
Catalyst for Change told Meagher County commissioners a smaller grant could fund an as‑needed community health worker for White Sulphur, but the county would need to budget roughly $90,000 per year for a contract to secure ongoing services; commissioners asked for further talks with schools and the county attorney.
Representatives from Catalyst for Change presented an alternate, smaller grant option to the Meagher County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 16 that would fund a part‑time or on‑call community health worker (CHW) for White Sulphur rather than a full‑time position.
Amber Martinsen of Catalyst for Change told the commissioners, "If the Commissioners are interested, it would enable them to provide a community health care worker to serve White Sulphur on an as‑needed basis." She said the county had originally applied for a two‑year $250,000 grant intended to cover a full‑time CHW, but the newly available award is significantly smaller and therefore would not support a full‑time hire. Catalyst estimated a county contract for sustained services would be about $90,000 per year.
Martinsen highlighted program data intended to show impact: "For example, in Sweetgrass County, 19% of youth had previously reported suicide attempts. That number has been reduced to 8% with Catalyst's help and has remained steady," she said, contrasting that with a statewide change from 8% in 2018 to 15% currently. Commissioners said they want more input from the local school system and the county attorney before committing to a funding path.
Chairman Ben Hurwitz and the commissioners agreed to continue discussion at the next meeting on Oct. 7, 2025, and asked staff to provide cost and contract options prior to that date.
