Montana Group Home Closes

“The Yellowstone Boys and Girls ranch is closing its Lewistown group home.

The therapeutic youth home and day treatment program is shutting its doors due to operation costs and staffing.

A spokeswoman for the ranch said the closure would take effect immediately in order to ensure all youth are successfully transitioned to an appropriate level of care.

In a press release, the organization said the decision to close was not taken lightly and that all services are being reviewed to ensure financial viability.

“The challenges of recruiting quality staff in our rural outreach sites, increased costs of providing services, and stagnant reimbursements have led us to this difficult decision,” the release states.

The home served area youth age 7 to 16 during transitional periods in their lives.

The ranch is based in Billings and has served more than 10,000 youth and their families impacted by mental health issues since 1957.

YBGR offers residential services, community-based services throughout Montana, and the Yellowstone Academy in Billings.

Three part-time and eight full-time positions will be eliminated with the closure of the Lewistown home.

The day treatment program will close February 15th, while the group home will close March 16th.

“Lewistown has been a great community partner,” said Shawn Byrne, the chief operating officer of Community Based Services for YBGR, in the press release. “YBGR’s therapeutic youth mentoring, home and support services, case management, and school-based programs will not be affected by this change.””

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch plans to close Lewistown group home [KTVQ 1/6/16 by Aja Goare]

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