Montana’s Colleen Smith Named Executive Director of Youth Connections Coalition

Circle Connections: New Talent Colleen Smith, the new executive director of Youth Connections Coalition in Helena, faces many challenges. Several of the grants that pay for a number the organization's programs and staff salaries will soon run out. In 2009, Youth Connections received a $5.3 million federal grant to put in place programs to curb youth violence and underage substance abuse, improve mental health services in the community and increase support for families and their children. It has been extended until June 2014. When those grant dollars go away, so do their salaries, unless alternative solutions can be . . .