5C juvenile detention center working through a positive problem

The Five County Treatment and Youth Rehabilitation Center in Saint Anthony has a good problem on its hand. They’re seeing fewer teenagers assigned to their facility. While that’s good on multiple levels, it does mean the facility sees fewer state tax dollars to help run the center.

Civic leaders who work with the facility said they’re not worried about the budget, yet. “Right now our budget is very strong,” said Lee Roy Miller. “We’ve got about $800,000 in reserves to carry us forward.”

Miller and facility director, Nicky Chavez, said they easily have enough money to operate without any problems through 2016. Looking forward, they hope to bring in young adults from outside the five county area to help with funding.

“We’re actually giving a tour to some people from Montana tomorrow,” Chavez said. “Nothing’s finalized yet, but they’re looking at sending some of their juveniles here.”

If the deal happens, it means the state of Montana would pay the 5C center for their services.

Currently the 5C center serves Clark, Fremont, Teton, Madison, and Jefferson Counties. Each county contributes funds based on the number of youth that live within those counties.