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Mason County ends grant contract with Youth Connection by mutual agreement after compliance review
Summary
After a Commerce-required monitoring review found documentation and billing discrepancies, Mason County commissioners voted to terminate, by mutual agreement effective June 23, 2026, the county's consolidated homeless grant contract with the Youth Connection; the nonprofit disputed some findings and sought an independent review.
Mason County commissioners voted June 23 to terminate by mutual agreement the county's consolidated homeless grant (CHG) contract with the Youth Connection, following a county compliance review that identified unresolved monitoring findings.
Public Health's Community Health Manager, Melissa Casey, told the board the monitoring review of the Youth Connection's eviction-prevention and rapid-rehousing programs turned up missing eligibility and rent-subsidy determinations, payment discrepancies and client-file documentation that could not be verified. Casey said the Youth Connection received detailed feedback and opportunities to correct records but that a number of discrepancies remained unresolved, prompting Public Health's recommendation to end the subrecipient contract.
The recommendation prompted emotional testimony from Youth Connection leadership. Susan Kirchhoff, founder and executive director of the Youth Connection, disputed the county's characterization and said the nonprofit had supplied receipts and documentation multiple times and had worked to revise budgets and allocation methods in response to county requests. Kirchhoff said the Youth Connection enrolled 17 young people in its rapid rehousing program and reported 14 exits to permanent housing, and asked the board for a collaborative path to resolve documentation concerns rather than immediate termination.
Mary Robillard, board chair of the Youth Connection, told commissioners the organization has completed annual audits, including federal audits, and urged the county to review whether its oversight process gives nonprofit partners a clear, achievable path to compliance.
Commissioners and staff emphasized the county's stated concern was compliance and verifiability of records rather than an allegation of intentional misuse. After discussion about wording — staff requested the motion be framed "by mutual agreement" to avoid implying fault — a commissioner moved that the board, by mutual agreement, terminate the consolidated homeless grant contract with the Youth Connection effective June 23, 2026; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The board also noted a meeting was scheduled that afternoon between county staff and Youth Connection leadership to continue discussions.
Why it matters: The CHG is state-administered and county-led for subcontracted providers; termination affects funding for youth homelessness services and raises questions about oversight processes for community partners. County staff said they remain committed to reimbursing verifiable, eligible services; Youth Connection leaders said they will continue serving youth using non-county funds if necessary.
Next steps: The termination will take effect June 23, 2026, per the board motion. County staff and Youth Connection representatives had a meeting scheduled for 2:00 p.m. the same day to attempt further resolution on documentation and outstanding invoices.
Notes: The county's presentation referenced Commerce monitoring guidance and invoice reviews; Youth Connection requested an independent review of the dispute and asked the board to consider a mutual separation rather than a termination that could carry adverse consequences for the nonprofit.
