Summit staff member conducting an information and referral with a community member

Summit Independent Living offers Information and Referral services to help connect community members with resources that support independent living. Our staff listen to what individuals need, whether it’s housing options, transportation, benefits assistance, personal care services, or community programs, and provide reliable guidance to local, state, and national supports. This core service ensures that anyone seeking help can get accurate information and meaningful connections that strengthen independence, dignity, and full participation in their community.

We offer information and referral services on several different topics, such as:

  • Affordable and accessible housing
  • Energy assistance programs
  • Medicaid/Medicare
  • Social Security and disability benefits
  • SNAP and other nutrition supports
  • Assistive devices and adaptive equipment
  • Employment opportunities and workforce programs
  • Referral to payee/bill paying services
  • Senior and peer companion programs
  • Transportation options
  • And additional community resources…

Check Out Our Programs

Information & Referral Services

Information & Referral

Access Community Resources

Woman using a wheelchair speaks with another person at a round table; a “Disability Rights Are Civil Rights” sign hangs behind them.

Self-Advocacy

Build and Maintain Self-Empowerment

Peer Advocacy Program

Peer Advocacy

Increase Your Independence

Skills Training

Skills Training

Enhance Personal Growth & Life Skills

Young girl sitting in a manual wheelchair facing the chalkboard in a classroom

Youth Transition Services

Navigating the Transition to Adulthood

Self-Direct Personal Care

Self-Direct Personal Care

In-Home Personal Assistance

BASE

BASE

Social Engagement & Activity Center

Systems Advocacy

Systems Advocacy

Building Awareness, Advocating Change

Information & Referral

Summit provides information and referral for local community resources in Western Montana. We can also assist with locating state and national disability-related resources.

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Self-Advocacy

Summit offers self-advocacy assistance for individuals to be able to identify one’s needs, make informed decisions about the supports they need, and effectively communicate those needs.

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Peer Advocacy

Summit peer advocates serve as positive role models, offering practical tips on living with disabilities, information on community resources, as well as community and educational activities.

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Skills Training

Summit offers individualized and group training on a variety of topics aimed at enhancing personal growth and life skills that promote independence.

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Youth Transition Services

Life is full of transitions, we offer youth transition services geared towards putting youth in control of their own lives and preparing them for life as an adult.

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Self-Directed Personal Care

The Self-Directed Community First Choice program is designed to provide in-home personal care services for people who have long-term care needs, and who want to direct their own care.

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BASE

BASE is an all-ages, all-abilities social and activity center that’s a safe place to explore the arts, learn self-advocacy, and hone other skills we all need to navigate the world around us.

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Systems Advocacy

Summit regularly participates in social change, public education, and improved accessibility efforts throughout our local communities in order to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded equal opportunities and have access to needed programs/services.

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NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

Contact us to find out which programs will best meet your goals.

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THIS TUESDAY! Help us kick off the return of one of our most popular programs in Missoula: Y.O.D.A. — Youth Opening Doors through Advocacy. It's open to anyone with any kind of disability aged 14 to 24. Join a YODA meeting and you can: • Work with other young people with disabilities • Help build disability culture • Learn disability history • Shape local policy • Make friends and share experiences • Become a leader YODA meets the 2nd AND 4th Tuesdays of every month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Summit’s Missoula office at 3104 W. Broadway. Cal (406) 728-1630 OR email RHERBERT@SummitILC.org for more information.
Summit's offices will be closed Monday, October 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.
NEXT TUESDAY! Help us kick off the return of one of our most popular programs in Missoula: Y.O.D.A. — Youth Opening Doors through Advocacy. It's open to anyone with any kind of disability aged 14 to 24. Join a YODA meeting and you can: • Work with other young people with disabilities • Help build disability culture • Learn disability history • Shape local policy • Make friends and share experiences • Become a leader YODA meets the 2nd AND 4th Tuesdays of every month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Summit’s Missoula office at 3104 W. Broadway. Cal (406) 728-1630 OR email RHERBERT@SummitILC.org for more information.
Master Montana's bureaucracy, Kalispell! Sorting through paperwork from programs like Medicaid and SNAP can be overwhelming, we know. So we're here to help. Come by Summit's Kalispell office on the second Thursday of every month (THAT'S TOMORROW!) from 10 a.m. to noon. We'll help you navigate bureaucracy with free coffee, tea, and treats. Stop by 275 Corporate Drive, #200 or call (406) 257-0048 for more information.
We're VERY excited to announce the return of one of our most popular programs in Missoula: Y.O.D.A., otherwise known as Youth Opening Doors through Advocacy. It's open to anyone with any kind of disability aged 14 to 24. Join a YODA meeting and you can: • Work with other young people with disabilities • Help build disability culture • Learn disability history • Shape local policy • Make friends and share experiences • Become a leader YODA meets the 2nd AND 4th Tuesdays of every month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Summit’s Missoula office. Cal (406) 728-1630 OR email RHERBERT@SUMMITILC.ORG for more information.
Lots of FREE stuff to do in Hamilton this month! Have questions? Just DM us or call (406) 363-5242. If you need to plan transportation to any of our events, contact Bitterroot Bus at (406) 363-7484. 🍳 C.H.E.W. FREE COOKING CLASSES 🍳 WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2-3 PM Our free cooking class will give you the skills you need to create healthy, affordable, and delicious meals. Prepare a different dish every week, while learning things like menu planning, nutrition basics, kitchen safety, and more! 📨 MAIL & MUNCHIES ☕ THURSDAY, OCT. 1 & 15, 1 pm-3 pm Sorting through paperwork from Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you cut through the red tape, with coffee, snacks, and friendly faces. Bring your paperwork to our Hamilton office on the first and third Thursday of every month, and we’ll go over it together — with free coffee, tea, and treats. 🐉 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 🐉 EVERY MONDAY & TUESDAY, 1 pm-3 pm Experience vast fantasy worlds with all kinds of people and monsters of legend! Our games are open to all players ages 18 and up (due to fantasy violence ⚔️ and the potential in-game death of beasts and people alike 💀). Email bbrawley@summitilc.org to let our Dungeon Master know you're coming! 🎨 T.G.I.A.F. (Thank Goodness It's Activity Friday) ✂️ EVERY FRIDAY, 1 pm-3 pm Every Friday is a different activity! First Friday: UNO & Dunkin Man Second Friday: Abstract Art Third Friday: Bingo! Fourth Friday: Collage Art