Pause on federal funding impacts local services

The Montana Community Action Network (MCAN) represents the 10 Community Action agencies who carry out programs aimed to help Montanans experiencing economic hardships, including the elderly and disabled.

District XI Human Resource Council is one of the 10 agencies across the state, serving Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli Counties. 

Earlier this week, the Trump administration issued a “temporary” pause on all agency federal grants and loans effective at 5 p.m., Jan. 28. It was later delayed by a federal judge until Feb. 3. The memorandum was rescinded on Wednesday, Jan. 29, leaving confusion and uncertainty about the immediate and long-term impacts of the pause on federal grants, loans and programs. 

We are working with our state partners at Montana’s Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and Department of Commerce to follow the directives under the recent Executive Orders delivered by President Trump. These Executive Orders may impact our ability to deliver many of our programs while OMB and other federal offices carry out a review. 

“Pausing federal funding, even temporarily, creates significant uncertainty for the programs that support Montana’s most vulnerable residents,” said Karla Seaman, MCAN’s President. “Community Action Agencies provide critical services to tens of thousands of Montanans every year. Any interruption in funding not only disrupts current programs but also creates ripple effects that can weaken the safety net our communities rely on for stability and support.” 

“During the 2023-2024 heating season, we helped over 300 households experiencing a heating emergency where the home heating appliance was either not functional or was dangerous. We are deeply concerned about our vulnerable customers and the cold winter we are experiencing.” spoke Ruth Burke, District XI Human 

Resource Council’s Executive Director for Mineral, Missoula and Ravalli Counties. We encourage you to reach out to Montana’s congressional delegation and your state legislators to talk with them about the importance of the programs and services offered by local community action agencies and the impacts of a pause in funding.

Katie McLain, Montana Community Action Network executive director; Ruth Burke, District XI Human Resource Council executive director.