County staff say DPHHS paperwork gap puts detention-services position at risk
May 20, 2026 | Cascade County, Montana
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County staff told the Cascade County Commission that a Montana DPHHS contract intended to fund a detention‑center reentry position has not been finalized in writing and the funding is "no longer guaranteed," putting the employee who fills the role at risk of losing their job.
At the work session, the chair read a contract summary listing the DPHHS award for Cascade County adult detention services as $106,868.76 for the term 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2026. A staff member who manages the contract told commissioners the state told the county the funding was available but the state "never actually had anything in writing," and later changed how the grant would be administered.
"We need the contract that you guys have already promised us to show that we can fund this position up through the end of next month," the staff member said, explaining the county had temporarily covered the position in its budget. The same staff member added that the county has notified the employee that "your job is up on the thirtieth." The staff member also said the county has applied for another grant that could replace the funding and expects to know results in early June; the county plans to pursue a Board of Crime Control grant that does not require matching funds.
Commission staff questioned contract amendment numbering and recordkeeping after the state returned a signed document labeled as a later amendment; staff said they will reconcile the county's tracker to reflect what the state signed and provide record copies to the commission. No formal vote or change in policy was taken at the work session.
The county described the position as focused on linking detained individuals to treatment and services after release to reduce returns to custody. The work session packet lists reference contract numbers 22-193 and 23-193 and recording number 0439931. The county did not announce any immediate replacement funding; timeline for a final decision depends on grant notifications in early June.
At the work session, the chair read a contract summary listing the DPHHS award for Cascade County adult detention services as $106,868.76 for the term 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2026. A staff member who manages the contract told commissioners the state told the county the funding was available but the state "never actually had anything in writing," and later changed how the grant would be administered.
"We need the contract that you guys have already promised us to show that we can fund this position up through the end of next month," the staff member said, explaining the county had temporarily covered the position in its budget. The same staff member added that the county has notified the employee that "your job is up on the thirtieth." The staff member also said the county has applied for another grant that could replace the funding and expects to know results in early June; the county plans to pursue a Board of Crime Control grant that does not require matching funds.
Commission staff questioned contract amendment numbering and recordkeeping after the state returned a signed document labeled as a later amendment; staff said they will reconcile the county's tracker to reflect what the state signed and provide record copies to the commission. No formal vote or change in policy was taken at the work session.
The county described the position as focused on linking detained individuals to treatment and services after release to reduce returns to custody. The work session packet lists reference contract numbers 22-193 and 23-193 and recording number 0439931. The county did not announce any immediate replacement funding; timeline for a final decision depends on grant notifications in early June.
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