The Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee will meet by video conference on May 11 and May 13 to take up topics related to its studies of senior and long-term care and child protective services. The committee also will hear an update from the Department of Public Health and Human Services about the COVID-19 situation in Montana and the effects on DPHHS programs. 

The committee canceled its March meeting due to public health concerns related to the novel coronavirus. At this month's meeting, members will take up most of the topics that were scheduled for the March meeting.

On May 11, the committee will focus on the senior and long-term care study. Members will hear from Montana groups that work on aging-related matters. They'll also hear from the Department of Public Health and Human Services about the services it offers to protect older or disabled adults.

Members will then review the ideas they've heard for the study and decide which options to explore in more depth during the rest of the interim.

On Wednesday, May 13, the committee will hear presentations on the state's plan for implementing the federal Family First Prevention Services Act. That law offers opportunities to revamp child welfare services in the states. Members also will hear ideas for providing services that may prevent families from entering the child welfare system.

The meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. on May 11 and will continue at 1 p.m. on May 13. 

Members of the public can offer comment in writing or during the video meeting by notifiying the committee staffer in advance of the meeting as outlined in the Instructions for Offering Public Comment.

The meeting will be streamed live at http://leg.mt.gov and will be broadcast on the Montana Public Affairs Network (MPAN). For more information about the meeting, including an agenda and related materials, visit the committee's website or contact committee researcher Sue O'Connell by e-mail or by calling 406-444-3597.