Press Release: March 17, 2026
Contact: Marisa McKee, CEC Advocate, mmckee@blacktailhealth.org,
Late last week, Blacktail Health – Butte Child Evaluation Center was honored as the 2026 Spring Program Highlight by the Montana Board of Crime Control office in Helena, Montana.
“We are honored to receive this distinction. It shows that our hard work is having an impact on the children and families in our community,” said Marisa McKee, CEC Advocate for Blacktail Health. “In Montana, Butte is one of only nine nationally accredited programs providing services like these.”
For 25 years, the Blacktail Health – Butte Child Evaluation Center has been a safe, confidential space to support children who have experienced abuse or witnessed a crime as they navigate the aftermath of trauma. It is a partnership with Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement, Silver Bow County Attorney’s Office, and Child Protective Services.
The program addresses the need for collaboration among law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, medical providers, mental health professionals, and victim advocates to better meet the complex needs of children and families.
They provide forensic interviews, medical care, counseling, and advocacy to minimize additional trauma to the child while improving the quality and outcomes of investigations.
Butte CEC became the first program in Montana to be accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. In 2017 and again in 2022, the Center received re-accreditation under supervised guidelines. They also provide comprehensive services to two satellite clinics in Anaconda and Dillon. Every year, they provide over 200 forensic exams. By providing therapy services to an increasing number of children and families, their work increased prosecution rates for perpetrators of sexual abuse in Silver Bow, Beaverhead, and Deer Lodge Counties.
Blacktail Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) known for quality, comprehensive care, offering medical, care management, behavioral health, and clinical and retail pharmacy services. In addition, they provide mobile health services and school-based care, bringing healthcare directly to where it is needed most.
Blacktail Health is a comprehensive healthcare provider serving insured, uninsured, and underinsured patients. They also offer services on a sliding fee scale for those who qualify, making healthcare accessible and affordable. Each year, Blacktail Health cares for nearly 13,000 patients and has clinics in Butte, Anaconda, and Dillon. To learn more, visit blacktailhealth.org.