County prevention coordinator post in transition

Jefferson County is temporarily without an official prevention coordinator due to reduced federal funding for Montana’s public health services. 

Since Oct. 1, the position has been filled piecemeal by multiple prevention coordinators in neighboring counties, according to Miles Benton, program administrator for Butte Cares, the anti-substance abuse organization awarded the state contract to organize prevention coordination in the region.

Madison County Prevention Coordinator Esther Lince said she expected to pick up some of the slack in Jefferson County as she and her colleagues wait to receive their new assignments from Butte Cares, which is finalizing its prevention plan.