Officials have announced that a youth home in the Bitterroot will be suspending its services due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Youth Homes officials have decided to suspend services at the Linda Massa Youth Home in Hamilton because of staffing concerns.
The suspension of services is currently set for Friday, April 17 to allow the transition of youth to other placements.
The five youths living at the home will be placed in alternate safe settings, according to a news release.
Fourteen staff members will be furloughed and recalled to work once the shelter reopens, with a plan to resume services later this summer.
The employees impacted by this change will be eligible for unemployment insurance and Youth Homes will continue to fund the employer portion of their health insurance.
Direct care staff have also been given the option to fill shifts in other Youth Homes residential programs.
The Linda Massa Youth Home is an eight-bed shelter for youths between the ages of 10 and 18.
Youth Homes will continue to maintain shelter, therapeutic group home, and family care services in Missoula and their other service areas in Montana.
The fourth and fifth confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ravalli County were reported over the weekend.
