LIFTT to begin reopening for in-person service on Tuesday, July 6!
The team at Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow is pleased to announce that both our Billings office (1201 Grand Avenue) and our Glendive Office (100 S. Merrill Street) will begin the process of reopening for in-person service to the public starting on Tuesday, July 6.
We do ask that for now, people please do not drop in. Please contact your IL Specialist, PCA Program Manager, or call (406) 259-5181(Billings), or (406) 948-8501 (Glendive) to make an appointment, and please be prepared to observe our COVID-19 prevention protocols, including masking, sanitization, and answering a brief questionnaire.
LIFTT Joins with other MTCILs DRM, DD Council & M4A to promote vaccine access
Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) has joined with The Montana Association of Centers for Independent Living, Summit Independent Living, North Central Independent Living Services, Montana Independent Living Project, Disability Rights Montana, The Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Montana Areas Agencies on Aging Association to sponsor a series of statewide television commercials encouraging seniors and people with disabilities to get the COVID-19 vaccine and to offer them assistance in gaining access to the vaccine.
The coalition has also set up a state-wide phone number (406) 443-4342) and email address (getyours@mtcdd.org) for people who are having trouble scheduling or otherwise accessing vaccine shots to reach out.
The first two ads began running on the channels of the Montana Television Network (The CBS affiliates in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell & Missoula and the NBC Affiliates in Great Falls & Helena) on Monday, June 28, The coalition expects to run up to eight different ads over the next month or so. You can check out the first two below:
Celebrate Independence Day with LIFTT!
Peer group to host Zoom event 7/1 @ 3 p.m.
4th-of-July-Party-Flyer-06.2021Kick-off your holiday weekend a little early by joining LIFTT’s peers as they mark the 245th birthday of the Good Ol’ USA with some fun and games!
The zoom event kicks off at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 1. For more information about the Independence Day event and the LIFTT peer group contact Tanya Thomas at (406) 690-6324 or send a message through our website at liftt.org/contact.
Click here to join the zoom event at 3 p.m. MDT on 7/1
LIFTT Board of Directors to meet July 1
The board of directors of Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow will hold a meeting on Thursday, July 1, 2021, beginning at 4 p.m. MDT.
The board meeting will be conducted virtually using the Zoom platform.
The public is invited to attend and offer comments during the public comment period.
You can view the agenda and zoom info below or click here to download it (Adobe PDF)
LIFTT-Board-Meeting-Agenda-07.01.2021LIFTT Job Opening: Full-time Independent Living Specialist based in Billings
Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) is seeking a full-time Independent Living Specialist to work out of our Billings office. As a member of the LIFTT IL Program Team, the Independent Living (IL) Specialist is responsible for advocating and delivering the five core independent living services within LIFTT’s eighteen county service area. This position plays a primary role in promoting self-determination and self-direction of individuals with disabilities and shall focus their work complimentary to the spirit and intent of the independent living philosophy.
For a complete description of the Independent Living Specialist position and information about how to apply, please visit our employment page.
June 2021 Newsletter: FCC offers assistance for internet access through emergency broadband benefit
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s Emergency Broadband Benefit launched on May 12th. This benefit provides a discount of $50 per month for eligible low-income households or $75 per month for households on Tribal lands to cover internet bills, as well as discounts on some devices. This program can also be combined with Lifeline benefits.
Reliable home internet and technology provide older adults and people with disabilities with more options to access important services and supports, including legal assistance, telehealth services, and portals for economic impact payment eligibility and benefits programs.
The eligible households can apply in four ways:
- Contact participating broadband providers directly.
- Visit GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online.
- Call (833) 511-0311 for a mail-in application and return it along with proof of eligibility to: Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY 40742.
- Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).
If you need more assistance in accessing the FCC’s Emergency Broadband benefit LIFTT can help! Reach out to us at (406) 259-5181 or liftt.org/contact
June 2020 Newsletter: LIFTT Encourages everyone who can to get the COVID-19 Vaccine
Dear Consumers and Friends of LIFTT,
The team here at Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow would like to encourage everyone who is eligible and medically able to as soon as possible get a COVID-19 vaccine. Getting all who are able vaccinated against COVID-19 is a critical step in moving our communities, state, nation, and the world out of the darkest days of the last year.
The COVID-19 vaccines being given out by local health departments and other medical providers in our communities are safe and effective and completely free of charge! Visit vaccines.gov to find a location in your area and information about how to make an appointment. You can also find vaccination site information by texting your zip code to 438829 or by calling (800) 232-0233.
If you are a person with a disability and you need assistance in finding a vaccine location near you, making an appointment, getting to a vaccination site, or face other barriers; LIFTT can help you navigate the process. Please give us a call at (406) 259-5181, or send us a message at liftt.org/contact.
For more information about how COVID-19 vaccines work, what vaccines are available for their safety, general side effects, and who can get vaccinated visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html. If you have specific questions about your medical situation and the COVID-19 vaccine please reach out to your health care provider.
If you already gotten the vaccine or arranged to do so, Thank you for stepping up to protect yourself your families friends, and your communities! Vaccinated individuals can check out https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html. If you are interested in sharing your experience getting the shot on social media checks out the “Share your Shot: campaign from The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.
June 2021 Newsletter: Do you have a vehicle to donate?
The LIFTT service area covers 47,302 square miles just slightly larger than the state of Pennsylvania and slightly smaller than the state of Mississippi!
Having a few reliable accessible vehicles such as our “new” Freestar are a critical tool in bringing our programs and services to our consumers across this far-flung region. If you have a car or van that you would like to donate, please contact LIFTT at (406) 259-5181 or send us a message at liftt.org/contact Thank You!
June 2021 Newsletter: LIFTT building new accessible website
Since the beginning of the year, LIFTT has been seeking financial support for the construction of an ADA accessible website and APP (a digital mobile application) to provide Independent Living services to people with disabilities in southeastern Montana.
This part of the state is comprised of rural communities and citizens who have been or currently are disproportionately impacted by a lack of resources and services. The Accessible Website project will expand LIFTT’s capacity to address, the needs of all people with disabilities in southeastern Montana.
To date, we would like to thank these organizations that have generously contributed to the project:
- The Marshall & Mary Brondum Special Assistance Foundation
- The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
- The Charles M. Bair Family Trust
- The Billings Lions Club
If you would like to contribute to the project, please contact Carlos A. Ramalho, LIFTT Executive Director at (406) 294-5190 or carlosr@liftt.org
June 2020 Newsletter: LIFTT says thanks for the lift!
Donations from a consumer’s family and a Billings repair shop put the agency on the road again
Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) would like to thank Jim Davis of Great Falls for donating a 2006 Ford Freestar van equipped with a wheelchair lift. The vehicle previously belonged to Jim’s sister Patty Davis who lives in Billings and was a one-time consumer of LIFTT.
LIFTT would also like to thank Dan Morell and the team at Willard’s Garage in Billings for their great work on repairing the Freestar.
LIFTT looks forward to putting the van to good use as our team ventures back out into the communities we serve in the coming weeks and months.
For more information about using, or obtaining our services call (406) 259-5181 or (800) 669-6319.