Montana Office of Rural Health & Area Health Education Center

What Montana Office of Rural Health & Area Health Education Center does

The Montana Office of Rural Health & Area Health Education Center (MORH/AHEC) is a non-profit healthcare workforce development organization operating as a program department of Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. Founded with federal HRSA designation, MORH/AHEC serves as Montana's designated Area Health Education Center and Office of Rural Health, coordinating workforce pipeline development for rural, frontier, and tribal communities across the state's 56 counties. The organization delivers a multi-modal training portfolio spanning behavioral health, community health worker training, oral health, EMS leadership, nursing workforce, and medical education through the WWAMI cooperative program, reaching Montana's 48 Critical Access Hospitals, FQHCs, tribal health programs, and individual healthcare professionals.

The organization's product architecture operates as a platform-plus-modules system, with a Canvas LMS-based online education center (AHEC Online Education Center) hosting self-paced and instructor-led courses, supplemented by in-person certifications (MOAB, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, QPR) and clinical rotation placements. Sub-brands include Montana REACH (chronic disease prevention in tribal communities), Caring for Indigenous Montanans, Community Health Corps Montana (AmeriCorps), the Behavioral Health Training Program, and the Montana Family Support Program. Revenue is derived almost entirely from federal HRSA grants, Montana DPHHS state funding, and limited training tuition ($1,500-$2,500 per certification), with most participant costs covered through grant-funded scholarships and stipends. The 13-employee organization is led by Director Kailyn Mock alongside Director Kristin Juliar (serving since 2007) and a team of assistant directors and program managers.

Name

Montana Office of Rural Health & Area Health Education Center

Legal name

Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center

Website

https://healthinfo.montana.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MORH/AHEC is Montana's designated Area Health Education Center and Office of Rural Health, operating within Montana State University to develop healthcare workforce capacity across all 56 counties. It delivers behavioral health, community health worker, nursing, and oral health training programs to Critical Access Hospitals, tribal communities, and healthcare professionals statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Public Health Programs (923120)

akta.pro primary industry

Home Health Aide (HHA) & Personal Care Aide (PCA) (EDAOAJAM)

Keywords

• Healthcare workforce development
• Rural health training
• Behavioral health training
• Community health worker certification
• Continuing education healthcare

Headquarters

HQ city

Bozeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: MORH/AHEC is a grant-funded organization primarily supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services grants. Funding supports workforce education and training programs statewide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MORH/AHEC is a healthcare workforce development organization that designs, coordinates, and delivers training programs, certifications, clinical rotations, and community health initiatives to address healthcare workforce shortages in Montana's rural, frontier, and tribal communities. Its core offerings include behavioral health training, community health worker certification, EMS leadership, oral health training, academic and collegiate programs (AHEC Scholars, SANE, RIDE, Rural Ready NP), Critical Access Hospital support, and continuing education for healthcare professionals statewide.

Product overview

The Montana Office of Rural Health & Area Health Education Center (MORH/AHEC) is a multi-faceted healthcare workforce development organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of training programs, professional development, and community initiatives. The organization operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture with core program areas including: Hospital & Clinic Support (CHSD, SHIP, Rural Health Clinic Network), Workforce Development (Nursing Initiatives, EMS Workforce, GME Council, Pathways Activities), Academic & Collegiate Programs (AHEC Scholars, Mobile Health Training, Rural Ready NP, SANE Training, RIDE, Simulation Activities), Behavioral Health Programs (Montana Family Support Program, Behavioral Health Training Program, BHWET-Professional), and Community Initiatives (Montana REACH, Caring for Indigenous Montanans, Community Health Corps Montana). Training delivery includes core competency courses (CHW, Fundamentals of Behavioral Health, Community Integrated Health, Recovery Doula, Peer Support Specialist), professional development workshops (MOAB, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, QPR), and continuing education certificates for nurses, behavioral health professionals, and EMS personnel. Programs are supported by grant funding from HRSA and delivered through partnerships with Montana State University, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and tribal communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Montana REACH: REACH works to reduce the burden of chronic disease through culturally relevant nutrition and physical activity strategies in CSKT, Rocky Boy, and Fort Peck.
• Caring for Indigenous Montanans
• Community Health Corps Montana
• Montana Family Support Program
• Behavioral Health Training Program

Products and services

• Hospital & Clinic Support Programs Programs and resources dedicated to strengthening Montana's hospitals and clinics, including the Community Health Services Development Program (CHSD), Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program (SHIP), and Rural Health Clinic Network. Targets rural and frontier healthcare facilities.
• AHEC Scholars Program A nationwide certificate program for health professional students interested in enhancing interprofessional skills in rural and underserved settings.
• Mobile Health Training Program Offers MSU BSN students unique learning and training opportunities in rural health and primary care settings.
• Rural Ready Nurse Practitioner Program Supports and trains MSU DNP students committed to serving communities in rural Montana.
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Training Training program to strengthen SANE workforce and services in Montana.
• WWAMI Medical School Program Montana's cooperative medical school program with the University of Washington School of Medicine, serving Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.
• Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) Program developing dentists committed to serving the needs of rural and underserved communities.
• Montana Family Support Program Program preparing behavioral health paraprofessionals to work with youth and families impacted by Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
• Behavioral Health Training Program Comprehensive six-month workforce development program preparing paraprofessionals to work in team-based models of care addressing social and behavioral needs of rural and frontier communities.
• Fundamentals of Behavioral Health Training Core competency training providing knowledge and skills to understand the basics of behavioral health and mental health illnesses, treatments, and resources. Approximately 60 hours over 9 weeks at $1,500.
• Community Health Worker Training Foundational skills course to assist individuals and families in navigating healthcare and social service systems. Approximately 85 hours over 7 weeks at $1,500.
• Community Integrated Health (Community Paramedicine) Training Prepares EMS professionals and healthcare providers to expand roles beyond emergency response and deliver integrated care in community settings.
• Peer Support Specialist Training State-recognized training for certified peer support specialists in behavioral health settings.
• Recovery Doula Certification Course Year-long certification course preparing individuals to provide full-spectrum birth and postpartum support to families navigating behavioral health challenges. $2,500 for full certification with scholarships available.
• Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid 8-hour in-person training teaching participants a 5-step action plan to help a person in a mental health or substance use crisis, with a separate youth-focused version for adolescents.
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Two-day in-person workshop in suicide first aid teaching participants to recognize and respond to thoughts of suicide, using the LivingWorks curriculum.
• Management of Aggressive Behaviors (MOAB) In-person training providing principles, techniques and skills for recognizing, reducing and managing violent and aggressive behavior.
• Montana's Frontier EMS Leadership Academy Comprehensive online training to cultivate EMS leadership in rural and frontier Montana, enhancing emergency care access, staffing, and satisfaction.
• Oral Health Training Track (Smiles for Life) Self-guided curriculum advancing knowledge in oral health throughout the lifespan, acute dental problems, oral-systemic health relationships, and safe dental visits. Free training with stipend opportunity.
• Montana REACH Program working to reduce the burden of chronic disease through culturally relevant nutrition and physical activity strategies in CSKT, Rocky Boy, and Fort Peck communities.
• Caring for Indigenous Montanans Tribe-specific training program for non-Native healthcare workers and students to learn culturally competent care for Montana's Indigenous communities.
• Community Health Corps Montana Statewide AmeriCorps program engaging individuals in service to Montana through community partnerships to advance sustainable health solutions.
• Rural Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP) Service Learning Rotation Four-week elective immersion experience in community medicine for medical students between first and second years in rural or urban under-resourced WWAMI communities.
• Montana Rural Allied Health Professions Training Program (MRAHPTP) Program providing allied health professional students rural, community-based clinical training rotations and employment assistance with rural healthcare providers. Achieved 900% Medical Laboratory Technician enrollment increase from year one to year three.
• Community Health Support Workforce Program Program addressing Montana's critical health needs through expanded community health support workforce capacity with AHEC Scholars and Tier 2 professional advancement tracks including Medical Assistant, Mental Health Technician, Patient Care Technician, Medical Coding & Billing, and Medical Office Manager programs (training costs covered for participants with $1,000 completion stipend).
• Continuing Education Center Certificate management system for continuing education credits for behavioral health professionals, nurses, EMTs, physicians, and pharmacists.
• Community Health Worker Apprenticeship Option Structured on-the-job training, mentorship, and incremental wage increases program producing nationally recognized CHW credentials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 of 48 Critical Access Hospitals hosted students for Lean improvement events since 2010
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner for oral health programs, EMS workforce initiatives, Community Integrated Health training approval, and Rural Hospital Flexibility (FLEX) Program. Collaborates on MCH-IOHI project and CIH endorsement through Board of Medical Examiners.
• Montana Primary Care AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in MCH-Improving Oral Health Integration project working to improve oral health access in Montana communities through care integration initiatives.
• OneHealth of MontanamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in MCH-IOHI project and developer of Recovery Doula course curriculum. Provides perinatal program expertise for behavioral health and maternal health integration.
• Missoula College (University of Montana)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved provider of Community Integrated Health (CIH/Community Paramedic) training curriculum. MORH/AHEC provides scholarship funding for Montana participants in the program.
• University of Washington School of Medicine (WWAMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative medical education program serving Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. MORH/AHEC supports RUOP Service Learning Rotation program providing medical student placements in Montana rural communities.
• Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing (Montana State University)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSU nursing college partner in MCH-IOHI project and oral health integration initiatives. Collaborates on simulation activities and nursing workforce development programs.
• Federal Reserve Bank of MinneapolismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Montana Healthy Communities Conference focused on community development and health collaboration. Provides expertise on community development investments and economic vitality.
• Montana Healthcare FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Montana Healthy Communities Conference and supporter of EMS Leadership Academy. Foundation focused on improving healthcare in Montana through strategic investments.
• Montana Community Health Worker AssociationmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStatewide CHW professional association serving as one of four focus areas in Community Health Support Network. Promotes CHW training and workforce development.
• Montana Hospital AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState hospital association partner for Critical Access Hospital support, CHSD program, and workforce initiatives. Collaborates on SHIP program and hospital improvement projects.
• Tribal Health Programs (CSKT, Rocky Boy, Fort Peck)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation health programs served through REACH program (CSKT, Rocky Boy, Fort Peck) for chronic disease reduction, Caring for Indigenous Montanans training, and tribal community health initiatives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Colorado AHEC: Colorado’s statewide AHEC program delivering rural and underserved healthcare workforce development under the same federal AHEC framework. Parallel operating model to MORH/AHEC with comparable funding sources.
• Wyoming AHEC: State-level AHEC serving Wyoming’s rural and frontier communities through workforce training and clinical placement. Highly comparable given similar low-density demographics, frontier geography, and tribal community service requirements.
• Wisconsin AHEC: Statewide AHEC program based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that coordinates rural healthcare workforce training, continuing education, and clinical placements. Similar HRSA-funded academic-medical partnership model.
• North Carolina AHEC Program: Long-established, multi-regional state AHEC program providing workforce training, continuing education, and clinical placements across North Carolina. Operates the same HRSA-funded AHEC mandate as MORH/AHEC with a comparable mission to expand the rural healthcare pipeline.
• Idaho AHEC: Idaho’s state-level AHEC addressing rural and frontier healthcare workforce shortages. WWAMI partner state with comparable low-population-density mission and HRSA grant model.
• 3RNET (National Rural Recruitment & Retention Network): National nonprofit network connecting healthcare professionals with job opportunities in rural and underserved communities. Directly comparable to MORH/AHEC’s rural placement function (125 completers placed in rural Montana organizations).
• Oregon AHEC (OHSU): State-level AHEC program housed at Oregon Health & Science University delivering rural healthcare workforce training and clinical placements across Oregon. Same HRSA AHEC funding model and statewide coordination role as MORH/AHEC.
• Washington State AHEC (University of Washington): AHEC program affiliated with the University of Washington School of Medicine serving Washington’s rural and underserved communities. Direct WWAMI partner comparable to Montana’s WWAMI participation and AHEC Scholars pipeline.

Others

• National Rural Health Association: National membership organization advocating for rural health policy, providing resources, and supporting rural healthcare providers nationwide. Adjacent organization operating in the broader rural-health ecosystem that encompasses MORH/AHEC’s mission.
• National AHEC Organization: National umbrella organization supporting the network of state and regional AHECs across the United States. NAO is not a direct competitor but governs standards, advocacy, and program consistency that MORH/AHEC operates within, providing a directly comparable organizational model for state-level AHEC activity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/montanastate
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/montanastateu
• Facebookfacebook.com/montanastate
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/morh-ahec
• Instagraminstagram.com/montanastateuniversity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Montana Office of Rural Health & Area Health Education Center