Montana Statewide Continuum of Care
Designated Entities
The MT CoC Governing Board selects Designated Entities to carry out many of the responsibilities outlined in HUD 24 CFR 578.7.
Montana Continuum of Care Coalition
The Montana Continuum of Care Coalition serves as the Lead Agency and the Collaborative Applicant for the MT CoC. In these roles, the Montana Continuum of Care Coalition is responsible for the overall governance, structure, and operations of the MT CoC and provides the coordination and submission of the annual CoC Program Competition application for HUD funding.
Montana Continuum of Care Coalition Staff
The MT CoC Lead Agency & Collaborative Applicant
David O’Leary
Executive Director
David has over 26 years’ experience working to end homelessness. He began his work volunteering at a Dorothy Day house for single men in Winona, Minnesota and the Samaritan House in Denver, Colorado. His professional experience began as a Youth Advocate for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa working with at-risk youth aging out of the foster care system. He then took the position of Human Services Director for the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa – a small tribal community in far northeastern Minnesota.
In late 2008 he joined the team at Hearth Connection, a state-wide non-profit dedicated to ending long-term homelessness in Minnesota. While at Hearth Connection, he managed the Northeastern Regional Project to End Long-Term Homelessness - a collaborative effort of 3 tribal bands and 7 counties in northeastern Minnesota and represented Hearth Connection in the broader community and regional efforts to end homelessness partnering with state, county, local governments, non-profits, and tribal communities. He was active in northeastern Minnesota’s two Continuums of Care; serving on various committees and serving as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Governing Board of the Northeast Minnesota Continuum of Care. From December 2020 through August 2021, he served as Hearth Connection’s Interim Executive Director.
He has served as the Montana Continuum of Care Coalition’s Executive Director since May 2022.
David is an enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band Chippewa and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
Colleen Kay
Associate Director
Colleen Kay is a Certified Nonprofit Professional and strategic leader dedicated to strengthening communities and solving homelessness across Montana. A two-time graduate of the University of Montana (Go Griz!), she holds a bachelor's degree in Community Health, a Master of Public Administration, and is an Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional. Colleen brings a thoughtful, results-driven approach to her work, focusing on innovative strategies and effective operations that empower individuals, support organizations, and enhance public value.
Colleen is especially committed to advancing the well-being of underserved populations, with a special interest in youth, women, and families. In the years before joining the Montana Continuum of Care Coalition, she served as an AmeriCorps Representative and later a board member with Ravalli Head Start, Inc., connecting families to resources and leading the personnel committee; managed United Way of El Paso County’s Parents as Teachers program, ensuring parents had the necessary tools to raise children who are healthy, safe, and ready to learn; served as the Board Chair for Mothers’ Milk Bank of Montana, supporting staff and directing fiscally-responsible decisions; and dedicated nearly a decade to Mountain Home, working to advance strategic human resources and administrative operations to better-serve young mothers and their children.
Beyond her professional work, Colleen is a mother of two young, high-energy kiddos and an active member of her community. She currently serves on the board of directors for her son’s childcare center and coordinates the Missoula affiliate of the national nonprofit Hot Mess Express, where she channels her passion for clean and decluttered spaces by helping individuals and families create more functional, less chaotic living spaces.
Pathways MISI Staff
The MT CoC HMIS Lead Agency
Pathways MISI serves as the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agency for the MT CoC. In this role, Pathways MISI is responsible for the overall management, training, reporting, and maintenance of the Statewide HMIS and providing technical assistance and support for HMIS end users.
Chris Sage
HMIS Coordinator
Pathways Bio.
The Montana Continuum of Care Coalition has a certified Gold Transparency Level!
