(Billings, Mont.) March 30, 2017 – Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR) is expanding its services to children and families in Montana. Their Community Based Services (CBS) Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) program is expanding from locations in and around Billings and Livingston, Mont., to also include Dillon and surrounding area.
“We’re at the point where we want to grow the program,” said Charise Lemelin, YBGR’s CBS Clinical Director.
Lemelin said that she has a dream to acquire 15-20 foster care placements in the Dillon area. Funding for the program would create two new positions – a family resource specialist and a treatment manager.

“When you hear times of children in crisis having to sleep overnight in their social workers’ offices and in shelter care settings, or that current foster families are having to accept more kids into their homes than the recommended amount to keep kids safe, it speaks volumes to the need and crisis in this state,” said Kim Chouinard, YBGR’s Executive Director of CBS.
“If we have families ready to license, we can get started with families right now,” Lemelin said. “A piece of it, too, is having respite care available so that when foster families get stressed out or just need a weekend, it’s there for them.”
The organization serves 23 families between the Billings and Livingston locations and works with Child Bridge on programs which assist with TFC families.
“Part of this initiative is to create more placements in Livingston as well,” Lemelin said. “We know there is a need in Montana and we want to do our best to fill it.”
The first foster parent informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 19, from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Dillon Elementary School Board Room. Contact YBGR’s offices at 406-683-0416 in Dillon, or 406-222-6490 in Livingston for more information and upcoming pre-service dates.

Check out at article written by The Billings Gazette highlighting kids’ education of Youth Mental Health First Aid and the Heads Up Behavioral Health Careers Camp, sponsored in part by Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

Read the Article

(Billings, Mont.) February 11, 2017 – Thanks to generous donors of the Yellowstone Foundation, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch’s (YBGR) Young Life kids’ camp is back again! Kicking the day off with Club worship, Billings Young Life youth ministry had begun the first day of a three-day winter camp for YBGR youth. Close to 55 of the 65 residents in treatment at YBGR had attended the spiritual-based camp on the first day.

“This is the second time Young Life has been out to host a camp with our kids… and to see the kind of participation where nearly all of our kids want to be here… it’s awesome,” said John Dailey, YBGR’s Director of Spiritual Life.

Young Life volunteers providing entertainment for outside activities

The day began in chapel worship with Billings’ Young Life volunteer, worship team. Staff and kids sat, stood, danced, hugged, sang, and watched as the Young Life performers poured melodious, Christ-centered hymns and songs into the room.

“It’s amazing to see some of the most shy kids open up. Our kids have such diverse pasts of trauma, depression, anxiety, and just situational obstacles. To see them dancing and swinging around – just being kids— that’s the gift that the Spiritual Life program and this camp brings,” said Dailey.

The camp included evening entertainment from Dailey, Keith Dow (Billings Young Life Area Director), and camp volunteers. With weather in the 40’s, the kids participated in outdoor games like playing with a giant “Zorb” ball, knocking over giant “Jenga” blocks, and running in sled relays. They also participated in the rock wall, bowling, and much more. Sunday evening will end with an opportunity for youth to express personal devotion to Christ and an outdoor bonfire.

“As always, our partnership with Young Life is a blessing,” said Dailey. “The community involvement and growth in these kids’ personal relationships with individuals in the community and with Christ is what this is all about.”

(Billings, Mont.) February 9, 2017 – Yellowstone’s staff Training Center is up and running with new office equipment. A portion of a Cognitive Behavior Therapy grant provided in late 2016 by PacificSource Health Plans funded the new upgrades for the two staff on-boarding and training rooms. Totaling nearly $10,000, the new tables, chairs, and two televisions are needed upgrades for the rooms that were ready for new equipment.

“As the training coordinator for YBGR, I am thrilled to have new office equipment for staff to use,” said Jessica Rouix, YBGR’s Training Coordinator. “Having an environment that people want to spend time learning in makes the process much more enjoyable.”

(Billings, Mont.) February 3, 2017 – All staff of Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Yellowstone Academy, and the Yellowstone Foundation received employee appreciation sweatshirts for the meaningful work they do for the youth of YBGR, living the mission each day. With over 220 staff members facilitating mental health services in Montana, staff work to provide youth, families, and communities we impact with a variety of treatment options.

“We are proud to ‘live the legacy’ of sixty years of caring,” said Mike Chavers, YBGR’s CEO.

Christmas for emotionally troubled youth served by Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch on campus, in group homes and foster homes, and even living at home, can be a lonely time.  We want to give our heartfelt thanks to all our friends in the community who supported Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation this year with your time, talents and treasure.

Next year, YBGR will celebrate 60 years of serving emotionally troubled children in our community!  Each day, YBGR serves more than 600 emotionally troubled children.  Its residential program hosts children on the original 410 acre working ranch between Billings and Laurel.  Its community programs are based out of Garfield School on Billings’ south side, providing therapeutic foster homes, school based therapy, and family therapy and support throughout southern and eastern Montana.  Yellowstone Academy, an accredited public K-8 and private high school, provides special education to YBGR’s residential children and day school students from our community and surrounding communities.

As we head into YBGR’s 60^th year, we are also thankful for the board members, volunteers, and 325 employees of YBGR and Yellowstone Academy who selflessly help these emotionally troubled children day in and day out . . . and especially at Christmas.

Sincerely,