Growing positive norms to create healthier, safer communities.

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The Montana Institute is dedicated to fostering healthier, safer, and more supportive communities through innovative applications of the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms frameworks. We partner with passionate leaders to improve positive norms around issues including substance use, mental health, suicide prevention, traffic safety, child maltreatment, and workplace safety, using evidence-based approaches that reduce harm and increase health.

About the Montana Institute

OUR FRAMEWORKS

Group of five diverse people celebrating and smiling in a bright, modern office, with one person in a wheelchair in the front.
Three teenagers smiling outdoors with trees and sunlight in the background.
Young girl with blonde hair styled in pigtails, wearing a yellow shirt and denim overalls, painting at a table with colorful paints, in a bright classroom.
Three people engaged in a discussion or meeting, with one woman speaking and gesturing, others listening attentively.
A woman on stage giving a presentation at Big Sky Montana conference, with a blue slide titled "More than Simply Positive" behind her.

WHAT WE DO

We leverage cutting-edge norms science, the research behind strength-based approaches, and transformative leadership development to help our clients decrease harm by growing the good that already exists in their communities. Our work reverses the usual problem-centered frame, and focuses on measuring and fostering strengths and protective factors to transform individual attitudes and behaviors and entire community cultures.

  • Training & Workshops

  • Technical Assistance & Consulting

  • Survey Development & Research

  • Keynotes & Presentations

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Growing the Good: A Minnesota Story
featured in the 2024 APHA Public Health Film Festival!

What happens when visionary leaders apply Positive Community Norms to reduce youth alcohol use? Spoiler alert: positive changes not only in rates of alcohol use, but in how adults see youth in their communities…and how youth see themselves. Watch to learn how four Minnesota communities were transformed over the course of a five-year project.

More of Our work

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June 16-19, 2026

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REcent Work

Group of people holding certificates and signs promoting healthy activities for teens, standing in a room with white walls and a ceiling with fluorescent lights.

Shifting the Narrative: From Party Mom to Most Don’t

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An aerial view of a road surrounded by trees, with text promoting seatbelt safety, stating that most young adults in Missouri always wear their seatbelts.

For Whatever Lies Ahead, We Buckle

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A man with glasses leaning into the camera with a serious expression, sitting near a car with a backseat child car seat. A text overlay states, '94% of Missouri adults agree there are better parenting strategies than physical punishment.' A small sign in the background says, 'Something we agree on.'

Protecting Missouri Kids Is Something We Agree On

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A family of four sitting on grass in a park, smiling, with a man, woman, and two children. The image promotes ending domestic violence for all families.

From Scary Eyes to Families That Thrive

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Group of young people and a woman standing on stage in front of a large presentation screen with 'Montana Institute' displayed. The group is wearing blue T-shirts and jackets with badges.

Broward County Youth Embrace the Positive

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Let’s Stay Connected!