Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance

08/14/2026

Such a great conversation on Wednesday! If you missed it or want to revisit some of what Zack shared, the recap is now up on the website. 👇

At our August meet-up, Zack Terakedis of the Billings Community Foundation shared how mental health professionals and organizations can prepare for grants and other philanthropic opportunities. Attendees explored business structures, fiscal sponsorship, grant readiness, and what needs to be in place...

08/14/2026

Missed Wednesday’s YCMHA Meet-Up or want to revisit what you learned? Our August Meet-Up recap is now live!

This month, Zack Terakedis from the Billings Community Foundation joined us to talk about something many of us don’t know nearly enough about how to prepare ourselves and our organizations for funding opportunities.

We talked about grants, fiscal sponsorship, philanthropic partnerships, different business structures, and what needs to be in place before you start asking for money to bring a community project or idea to life.

A huge thank you to Zack for sharing his knowledge with us and to the Billings Community Foundation for generously providing lunch for our attendees!

Whether you joined us Wednesday or couldn’t make it, head over to the website to read the recap and catch up on what you missed.

👇

At our August meet-up, Zack Terakedis of the Billings Community Foundation shared how mental health professionals and organizations can prepare for grants and other philanthropic opportunities. Attendees explored business structures, fiscal sponsorship, grant readiness, and what needs to be in place...

08/12/2026

Today's the day!

If you've ever had an idea that could make a difference in our community but wondered how you'd ever pay for it, don't miss today's YCMHA Meet-Up!

Join us today from 12:00–1:00 PM as Zack Terakedis from the Billings Community Foundation shares how to prepare your practice, organization, or community project for future grant opportunities, sponsorships, and donor support.

You don't need to be a nonprofit to benefit from this conversation. If you're passionate about expanding mental health services or bringing a new idea to life, you'll leave with practical steps you can take now so you're ready when funding opportunities arise.

🍽️ Lunch is provided by the Billings Community Foundation.
🎟️ Attendance is free.
📚 1 CE is available for counselors and social workers.

If your schedule allows, we'd love to see you at noon! There's still time to join us.

08/11/2026

Love getting reviews from those who are finding value in all that the Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance is offering!

08/10/2026

Have an idea that could improve mental health in our community?

Whether it's a new group, a community program, expanded services, or another project you've been dreaming about, funding may be more attainable than you think.

This Wednesday at noon, join us for our Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance Meet-Up as Zack Terakedis from the Billings Community Foundation shares how to prepare before you ever apply for grants, seek sponsorships, or ask for donor support.

You'll learn what funders are looking for, the foundational pieces every organization or business should have in place, and how to position yourself for future opportunities—even if you're not ready to apply for funding just yet.

📅 Wednesday, August 12
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
🍽️ Free lunch provided by the Billings Community Foundation
🎟️ Free to attend
📚 1 CE available for counselors and social workers

Bring your questions, connect with other professionals, and leave with ideas that could help turn your vision into reality. We hope to see you there!

08/09/2026

🎉 The Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance is turning three!

On August 5, 2023, 15 mental health professionals gathered in a rented room at Mazevo Coffee for what was then called the Billings Providers Network. We weren’t sure what to expect but when 15 people showed up, we knew we had discovered a genuine need for connection.

Three years later, that informal gathering has grown into a thriving professional network with monthly meet-ups, nearly 600 Facebook community members, a weekly newsletter reaching more than 400 professionals, an annual mental health conference, over 30 community partners, continuing education opportunities, and the statewide Montana Circle membership.

None of this would have been possible without the professionals, presenters, hosts, sponsors, exhibitors, and community partners who believed in what we were building and continued showing up. Thank you for helping create a more connected and collaborative mental health community.

We’ll celebrate during our August meet-up this Wednesday with connection, learning, lunch and, of course, birthday cake! 🎂

🎉 YCMHA Third Anniversary Celebration
📅 Wednesday, August 12
⏰ Noon–1:00 p.m.
📍 Billings Community Foundation Building
🎟️ Free to attend

Here’s to three years and to everything we’ll create together next!

08/08/2026

Happy birthday to us!

In August of 2023, Onnie Michalsky and Jessica Thometz Kiedrowski rented a room at Mazevo's on Grand Avenue and invited local mental health professionals to come connect.

We really didn’t know what would happen.

The whole thing started because Lisa Matovich Brooke had posted in a Facebook group asking if a group like this existed. I had been doing some networking myself, trying to find “my people” in Billings after moving here right at the onset of the pandemic.

So we thought…why not create it?

When 15 people showed up to that very first meet-up, we knew we were onto something. There was clearly a need for connection among mental health professionals in our community.

Three years later, that little gathering has grown into the Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance and into something much bigger than we imagined that day.

We now gather every month to connect, learn, share resources, and collaborate. We have a Facebook community of 500+ mental health professionals, a website and newsletter, an annual conference that continues to grow, and the Montana Circle, our online membership where clinicians can connect through peer consultation, networking, professional development, and private practice growth events.

But what I'm most proud of isn't any of those things. It's the connections that have happened because the Alliance exists.

Hundreds of professionals in our community now know one another. Referrals are being made. Resources are being shared. People are collaborating on projects. Ideas are turning into action.

And we're still dreaming about what this could become.

So this Wednesday, we're celebrating YCMHA's THIRD BIRTHDAY!!! 🥳

We'll still have our regular meet-up and a fantastic presentation from Zack Terakedis of the Billings Community Foundation but we're adding a little birthday celebration, too.

And there might just be a special surprise waiting for you. Because really, who doesn't like surprises?

Come celebrate three years of connection, collaboration, and community with us on Wednesday, August 12 at noon.

We'd love to have you thereand maybe we'll look back three years from now and be amazed all over again by how far this community has grown.

08/06/2026

What would you create if funding wasn't the thing holding you back?

Many of us have ideas that could strengthen mental health in our communities—a support group, a new program, expanded services, or a collaborative project. But knowing where to start when it comes to funding can feel overwhelming.

That's exactly what we'll be talking about at our next Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance Provider Meet-Up.

On Wednesday, August 12, Zack Terakedis from the Billings Community Foundation will share how to prepare your practice, organization, or community initiative before applying for grants, seeking sponsorships, or approaching donors. The better prepared you are, the more likely you'll be to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

Whether you're in private practice, work for a nonprofit, or simply have an idea you'd love to bring to life, you'll gain practical insights you can use long before you submit your first funding request.

🍽️ Lunch is provided by the Billings Community Foundation.
🎟️ Attendance is free.
📚 1 CE is available for counselors and social workers.

Mark your calendar now, and keep an eye out for the event details. We'd love to have you join us!

08/04/2026

Hey therapists…Have you ever caught yourself thinking...

💭 "I'd love to do something besides individual therapy someday."

Maybe you've thought about leading a support group, offering supervision, speaking at conferences, creating a workshop, writing a book, or developing another way to use your clinical expertise.

Or maybe you're simply curious about what other therapists are doing.

That's the conversation we're having at our next Montana Circle Roundtable.

Formerly called our Think Tanks, our Roundtables are collaborative discussions where members learn from one another, explore ideas together, and leave with new perspectives. No PowerPoint. No pressure. Just thoughtful conversation with fellow clinicians.

August Topic: Additional Income Streams for Therapists

📅 Thursday, August 6
🕖 7:00 PM MT
💻 Virtual

Roundtables
Where Great Ideas Take Shape.

If you joined us for our May Provider Meet-Up, you already know how energizing this discussion format can be. This virtual event is exclusively for Montana Circle members.

If you're a licensed or pre-licensed clinician in Montana and you're looking for a community that helps you connect, collaborate, and grow, we'd love to have you join the Montana Circle.Check out the Circle at www.montanacircle.com

08/03/2026

What could you accomplish if funding wasn't the biggest obstacle?

Maybe you've dreamed of starting a support group, expanding your services, creating a community program, or launching a mental health initiative but didn't know where the funding would come from.

The truth is, many grants, sponsorships, and donor opportunities are available. The challenge isn't just finding them; it's being prepared when the opportunity comes along.

Join us next Wednesday, August 12, from 12:00–1:00 PM as Zack Terakedis from the Billings Community Foundation shares what funders look for and how to position yourself, your practice, or your organization for future funding opportunities.

Whether you're in private practice, work for a nonprofit, or simply have a vision for making a difference in our community, you'll leave with practical ideas you can start applying right away.

🥪 Lunch is generously provided by the Billings Community Foundation.
🎟️ Attendance is free.
📚 1 CE is available for counselors and social workers
📍404 N. 30th Street | Billings (Billings Community Foundation)

We'd love to see you there! Comment below if you plan on coming, and tag a colleague you'd like to bring along!