Community Partnership Tackles Health Needs County-Wide

Community Partnership Tackles Health Needs County-Wide

For Immediate Release
July 16, 2026

Red Lodge, MT — Beartooth Billings Clinic (BBC) and Carbon County Public Health (CCPH) have joined forces to strengthen community health efforts across Carbon County through a unified Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and implementation strategy. While BBC conducts a CHNA every three years and CCPH every five, the organizations aligned their assessment schedules last year to streamline the process, reduce survey fatigue, and create a more comprehensive picture of our community’s health needs.

To move from assessment to action, an implementation planning committee—now operating as the Community Health Implementation Plan (CHIP) Committee—was formed. Members include BBC representatives Abby Lotz, Chief Executive Officer, and Holly Lucara, Community Relations Coordinator, alongside CCPH representatives Angela Newell, Administrative Officer; Erin Cross, Public Health Director; Seana Knox, Community Care Clerk; and Allison Moore, Public Health Nurse. The committee provides coordinated leadership, decision-making, and implementation.

Using CHNA findings, supporting data, and stakeholder input, three priority areas were identified for the next three years: access to elderly and long-term care services, alcohol and substance use, and mental health services. For each priority, the committee has established measurable goals, strategies, timelines, and partnerships, with ongoing evaluation to guide progress. The plan reflects input from residents, agencies, and community partners whose insights helped shape a responsive and forward-looking approach.

As implementation moves forward, BBC and CCPH will continue engaging the community by sharing updates on initiatives, progress, and public opportunities through social media, websites, newsletters, and local news outlets. This partnership represents a significant step toward improving health outcomes and quality of life in Carbon County. For more information, please contact Holly Lucara, Community Relations Coordinator, HLucara@BeartoothBillingsClinic.org or Angela Newell, Administrative Officer, ANewell@CarbonMT.gov.