People First of Montana
People First of Montana – Statewide Self-Advocacy Organization 
People First started in 1994 with the formation of local chapters across the state. In 2000, representatives of local chapters came together to form a statewide organization, the People First of Montana Senate. In April 2009, People First of Montana officially became a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
People First of Montana exists to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. It is a network of local self-advocacy groups formed for the purpose of:
- Assisting people with disabilities to speak up for themselves and make their own decisions
- Promoting equality for people with disabilities by promoting the People First concept of people first, disability second
- Providing peer support
- Working together locally and statewide to remove barriers to people with disabilities in housing, transportation, employment and other areas of life
- Educating the public and People First members about the rights, abilities and strengths of people with disabilities
People First works collaboratively with other organizations as issues arise on a local or state level that negatively impact people with disabilities.
There are fifteen People First Chapters located in Anaconda, Billings, Boulder, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Hamilton, Helena, Kalispell, Libby, Livingston, Malta, Miles City, Missoula and Polson/Ronan. Each chapter meets at least monthly.
Here is a video of Mike Schaff, a Senator member from Helena, MT, speaking about what People First of Montana is, what they do, and what it means for people with disabilities to have a job.
Click here to read the People First of Montana Constitution.
Click here to view People First of Montana’s 501(c)(3).
For more information contact Rebecca Hargis, People First of Montana Coordinator at mtrox09@gmail.com
2009 Board of Directors are:
Rocky Hughes, President – Kalispell
Stephanie Botham, Vice President – Billings
Barb Willis, Secretary – Missoula
Darwin Nelson, Treasurer – Helena
Kelly Murray, Sergeant at Arms – Anaconda
Mike Schaff, Senator member – Helena
Paula Lockhart, Senator member – Kalispell
Raylynn Van Oort, Senator advisor member (nonvoting)
2010 Board of Directors are:
Rocky Hughes, President – Kalispell
Robin Reagle, Vice President – Helena
Connie Lewis, Secretary – Missoula
Paula Lockhart, Treasurer – Kalispell
Kathy Rose, Sergeant at Arms – Kalispell
Mike Schaff, Senator member – Helena
Open position, Senator member
Raylynn Van Oort, Board of Director advisor member (nonvoting)
Here are some photos of general members and board members:
Connie Lewis – 2010 Secretary
Kathy Rose – 2010 Sergeant at Arms
Mike Schaff – 2009/2010 Senator member
Paula Lockhart – 2009 Senator member/2010 Treasurer
Robin Reagle – 2010 Vice President
Rocky Hughes – 2009/2010 President
Marriage Penalty
People First of Montana Initiates a National Challenge to Change the Social Security Provisions
People First of Montana, a statewide organization whose members are self-advocates is asking for your help to change the Social Security provisions that applies to SSI recipients who want to marry. Like most Americans, people with disabilities fall in love and wish to get married. However, most do not get married because of the Social Security provisions that reduces their monthly benefits. This is called the Marriage Penalty.
The SSI amounts have increased since this Marriage Penalty Video was recorded. Now many people with disabilities live on a $674 per month federal SSI benefit, which is still below the poverty level. When two people with disabilities of the opposite sex get married or hold themselves out to be married, their combined benefit as a couple drops to $1011. That is a net loss of $337 or roughly 25% of their income for getting married or living like they are married.
It is hard for one person with a disability to live on $674 per month. It is even harder for two people to live on $1011. The $337 penalty for falling in love and being together makes the difference in whether they pay their utilities or buy their medication for the month. It is often not enough to do both.
People First of Montana is asking our representatives in Congress to consider its request and help change the Social Security provisions that make it difficult to enjoy one of the most fundamental rights of our humanity – the sharing of love openly through marriage. As a first step you can express your support by signing the on-line Petition by clicking here.
People First of Montana is also organizing a national work group to collaborate in this effort. If you are interested in being a part of this work group, please call People First of Montana at Special Friends Advocacy at 1-406-756-5488 or Disability Rights Montana at 1-800-245-4743 or e-mail us at advocate@disabilityrightsmt.org.
