The Ted Lechner Youth Services Center programs work with youth, families and the community providing opportunities for a successful independent lifestyle.
Sam Bofto was educated in Billings both at Eastern Montana College and Rocky Mountain College. He began his career working for Rimrock Foundation before being hired as a Deputy Sheriff for the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office. Sam spent 28 years serving the citizens of Yellowstone County as a patrol deputy, field training officer, deputy coroner, detective, latent print examiner, hostage negotiator, fire marshal and a supervisor. Sam was promoted through the ranks and was commander of the Yellowstone County Detention Facility before being appointed as Undersheriff. Sam retired from the Sheriff’s Office in March of 2025 and was hired as the Director of Youth Services Center in May of 2025.
Sean Dunn entered this field over 30 yrs ago working in a Residential Psychiatric Facility for juveniles. He later worked as a Youth Case Manager at the regional Mental Health Center, advocating for and coordinating services for the youth on his case load. He then worked for Youth Dynamics Inc. supervising the Therapeutic Aids, who mentored the youth in the YDI foster homes. Sean then joined Mountain Peaks, an intensive community supervision program as an alternative to jail for juveniles. Sean has been at Ted Lechner Youth Services Center the past 22 yrs providing case management for youth who were referred for the Family Stabilization Program. This is a program for youth referred to Shelter Care to participate in individual and family therapy for approximately 45-60 days and later providing 90 days of aftercare following discharge. During his time at YSC he obtained his Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential and is currently the lead clinician balancing clients in the Family Stabilization Program, outpatient clients and Assistant Director duties.
Hank Richards is the Lead Educator, Curriculum Developer, and HiSet Coordinator for YSC. Hank is a graduate of Montana State University (2005: BA-English Ed.) Hank won the “2022 Outstanding Educator Award”, presented by the Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders (MSLBD). Hank was the NDTAC (National Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Neglected or Delinquent Children and Youth) Keynote Speaker. He is the team leader and PBIS facilitator for the YSC “On TARGET” program. YSC has been certified as an “Exemplar School” by the state of Montana. Hank runs the YSC Community Garden program and is a certified National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) instructor. Hank has worked within the High Tiered Community of Practice since 2014 and has been a presenter at many COP conferences. He has also presented at the MT-OPI Summer Institute on numerous occasions.
Kale Joyce, LAC, joined the YSC team in February of 2021. He is married with 2 daughters, whom he is raising with his wife of 20 years. Born in Billings, MT, Kale was raised in Helena, MT, graduating from Helena High School in 1995. He was athletic throughout his youth, and was competitive swimming from age 7 through his sophomore year at the University of South Dakota, when the Coyotes won the NCC Championship 1996-7. He entered college in 1995 at USD, and graduated, in 2000, with 3 bachelor's degrees in Psychology, Alcohol And Drug Addiction Studies Counseling, and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Studies Prevention.
Kale moved to Billings, MT, to a job with Rimrock Foundation, where he received his LAC in 2003. His career focusing mainly on adolescent inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care for treatment of substance abuse. Kale has kept himself focused in the area of adolescent counseling, however, became DUI certified in 2005, spending around 2 years as the DUI coordinator at Rimrock Foundation. Kale was offered the counselor position at the adolescent group home for young men, New Choices, from 2011 to 2019 addressing the needs of youth (13-18). Then from 2019-2021 worked in the Drug Courts, overseeing group therapy and compliance for STEER, CAMO, and Family Drug Court.