Our Continuum of Care
Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR) provides a full continuum of children’s mental health care grounded in a relationship-focused, trauma-informed approach.
We use evidence-based therapies to help youth heal and build the skills for life, including, but not limited to:
- Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
“I feel like my life is mine, and Yellowstone gave it back to me.” – Former YBGR Youth.
From community-based services to therapeutic group homes and residential treatment, we serve youth in nearly every county across Montana.
Our Community-Based Care
Our community-based services help youth and families access mental health care where they live, learn, and grow—ensuring support is available in their everyday environments.
Working within homes, schools, and local communities, we provide tailored interventions that foster stability, strengthen families, and empower youth with the tools they need to thrive.
Below are our outpatient care offerings.
Therapeutic Foster Care
Our Therapeutic Foster Care program helps youth heal in a community-based setting. Specialized foster parent training equips families to meet children’s unique needs with a team-based approach that may include home support, therapists, case managers, youth mentors, and respite providers, ensuring stability and success.
Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services
In partnership with Child and Family Services, we help strengthen families with the goal of reunification or avoiding separation by providing parent education, supervised visitation, and care coordination—promoting safe, stable family systems.
➝ Learn More About Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services.
Home Support Services (Caregiver Education & Support)
A therapist and home support service specialist team work with families in the home, school, and community—helping them navigate challenging behaviors stemming from trauma and mental health conditions. Families receive specialized education and practical strategies to support their child’s needs.
➝ Learn More About Our Home Support Services.
School-Based Services
Our School-Based Services provide year-round mental health support, primarily in schools, with additional services at home and in the community. A behavior specialist, guided by a therapist, delivers behavioral interventions alongside counseling, helping students stay in school and thrive.
➝ Learn More About Our School-Based Services.
Case Management (Service Coordination & Advocacy)
Targeted case managers provide treatment coordination, advocacy, and system navigation, helping caregivers access mental health services and resources tailored to their child’s needs.
➝ Learn More About Case Management Services.
Therapeutic Youth Mentoring
Mentors work one-on-one with youth at school, home, or in the community, helping them develop coping skills, practice social skills, and learn healthy, adaptive behaviors—equipping them with the tools for life.
➝ Learn More About our Therapeutic Youth Mentoring Program.
Outpatient Therapy
We provide individual, group, and family therapy through qualified mental health professionals. In remote areas, therapists may travel to provide care or offer virtual therapy options to ensure accessibility.
➝ Learn More About Our Outpatient Therapy Services.
Chemical Dependency
Our Chemical Dependency program helps youth struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions, along with offering preventative services. The program focuses on family dynamics, healthy decision-making, and practical recovery tools to support long-term wellness.
➝ Learn More About Our Chemical Dependency Program.
Individual Placement and Support (Yellowstone County Only)
Through a State of Montana grant, our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program helps young adults with mental health challenges gain competitive employment. Services include personalized job coaching, skill-building, employer connections, and workplace readiness training, fostering confidence, independence, and lifetime success.
➝ Learn More About Our Individual Placement and Support Program.
Therapeutic Group Home Care
For youth struggling with behaviors that impact their safety, daily functioning, or ability to attend school, we provide structured, family-style care through our Therapeutic Group Homes in Boulder, Billings, Helena, and Great Falls. These homes offer 24-hour supervision, treatment, and advocacy in a supportive community setting.
➝ Learn More About Our Therapeutic Group Homes.
Below are services provided to youth in our Therapeutic Group Homes.
Day Treatment
A therapeutic alternative education setting for youth needing mental health support during the school day. Certified teachers provide a structured learning environment, available at our Boulder campus and through partnerships with outside providers at our other group home locations.
Specialized Treatment for Sexual Behavior Problems
For youth with sexual behavior problems, our Boulder campus offers intensive Therapeutic Group Home and Day Treatment services, overseen by professionals with MSOTA supervision to ensure specialized, trauma-informed care.
Residential Care
Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF)
Located on our historic 410-acre ranch in Billings, our Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) provides a safe, structured environment for youth with behaviors stemming from trauma and mental health conditions that make it unsafe for them to remain in their home. This program offers individualized care, therapy, education, and life skills training—helping youth heal, build resilience, and gain the confidence to succeed when they return home.
➝ Learn More About Our PRTF at the Ranch in Billings.
Below are services delivered to youth staying with us at the Ranch.
Day Treatment
A therapeutic alternative education setting for youth needing mental health services and support throughout the school day. Certified teachers provide a structured learning environment year-round. Available in partnership with Yellowstone Academy.
➝ Learn More About Yellowstone Academy.
Recreational Therapy
Recreational Therapy promotes physical and emotional well-being through structured activities that build teamwork, cooperation, and sportsmanship. Youth engage in traditional sports and individual and group activities, developing healthy habits that promote overall wellness.
➝ Learn More About Recreational Therapy.
Equine & Animal-Assisted Therapy
Equine and Animal-Assisted Therapy helps youth heal from trauma while building trust, emotional regulation, and coping skills. In a safe, structured setting, youth learn horsemanship, care, and safety and connect with therapy dogs—fostering healing, confidence, and personal growth.
➝ Learn More About Equine & Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Native American Services Program
Our Native American Services program fosters cultural connection and mentorship—providing ongoing support to youth at the Ranch that follows them into aftercare. Through traditional practices like powwow dance, beading, and smudging, along with the Wellbriety 12-step chemical dependency program, Indigenous youth build a sense of pride and belonging on their path to wellness.
➝ Learn More About Our Native American Services Program
Spiritual Life Program
We offer faith-based services, including chapel and spiritual mentorship, fostering purpose, belonging, and mind-body-spirit wellness while embracing diverse beliefs.
➝ Learn More About Our Spiritual Life Program.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy helps children develop sensory regulation, social skills, and independence. Individualized plans address school needs, self-care, and daily routines, fostering healthy habits, resilience, and engagement through individual and group therapy.
➝ Learn More About Occupational Therapy.
Want to Make a Referral?
To refer a child to our services statewide, call or text our Admissions team at (406) 606-4075, contact us online, or visit admit.ybgr.org.