Montana Safe Schools Center
We provide training and technical assistance, research and resources, and tele-mental health support to schools and communities across Montana. Through partnerships with schools, districts, families and community stakeholders, we assist in the adaptation of systems and practices to improve students’ physical and emotional safety and school climate. We believe that training, resources, and support contribute to school’s ability to sustain safe and healthy school environments.
Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate collaborative partnerships, systems and practices to enhance physical and emotional safety and well-being of Montana school communities through training, resources, and technical assistance.
About Us
Meet The Team!
Machelle Cheyney
Machelle is the Project Manager for the UM OPI Attendance Project. She has worked as an Administrative Secretary for Missoula County Public Schools for the past six years. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as spending time outdoors in all that our beautiful state offers.
Nancy Berg
Nancy is the Director for the Center and holds her Master’s Degree in social work. She is a certified master trainer in the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Suicide Alertness for Everyone (safeTALK) suicide prevention protocols. Nancy is working towards her clinical social work licensure and volunteers her time at the YWCA, providing crisis walk-in and counseling services to survivors of violence and stalking.
Christina Eblen
Tina Eblen is the University of Montana Safe Schools Center’s Training and Technical Assistance Specialist. She brings to the center a wealth of experience including over eight years of Emergency Management, ten years of Behavioral Health and five years of experience working directly with schools. Outside of work, Tina likes to spend time with her fiance and three children, bike around Missoula’s many roads and trails, and travel.
Tammy Tolleson Knee
Tammy is the School Support Liaison for the Montana Safe Schools Center. She is a member of Missoula’s behavioral health committee, and worked as a Licensed School Counselor and Clinical Social Worker over three decades. When Tammy is not engaged in her work or playing jokes on co-workers, she spends time with her family, hikes around Montana, and convinces her husband to join her latest remodeling project.
Montana Safe Schools Center 