Governor Gianforte Thanks Montanans Supporting Mental Health Treatment for Youth

Highlights Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch in Billings

BILLINGS, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday visited the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR) to tour the campus and thank staff for supporting youth in need of treatment to address mental health challenges.

“From pandemic-related isolation to the pressures of social media, young people across the state and country are facing a mental health crisis,” Gov. Gianforte said. “It can be tough for children and young people to grow up in a happy and healthy environment these days. To support stronger families, it’s critical we come alongside partners committed to providing compassionate care to Montana youth.”

Through residential and day programs, YBGR serves over 180 young Montanans who struggle socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. Founded in 1957, the organization provides treatment for youth diagnosed with anxiety, substance use, depression, post-traumatic stress, and other disorders.

Touring the campus, the governor heard more about the treatments provided and the variety of programs and therapies offered. From equine and art therapy, to learning how to operate a working ranch and raise pheasants, residents and day students interact with psychiatrists, nurses, clinical and school psychologists, therapists, teachers, and other direct care personnel as they learn to overcome their challenges.

At their on-campus school, the Yellowstone Academy provides educational programming to Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch youth in residential care as well as day treatment for students needing support from surrounding school districts.

In addition to residential lodging and services, YGBR provides a variety of community-based services to the Billings area as well as through their offices across Montana. Offering school-based, family preservation and reunification, and a number of other outpatient therapy services, the organization estimates it’s served over 10,000 young Montanans.

Rounding out the visit in Billings, the governor heard from two young adults who graduated from YGBR as youth and now work as full-time employees for the organization. Sitting in the chapel, the governor listened to their stories.

“I came to the ranch when I was in seventh grade, it was a really interesting time in my life. There were some things going on at home and at school, and I don’t think the adults in my life were quite equipped to handle that,” said Jake M., a YGBR recruiter and former YBGR youth. “So, they sent me out here. It was a long two years, and I learned a lot. But one thing I can say is that stuck with me was learning how to genuinely care for another person. I thought I had seen that throughout my childhood and teenage years, but it wasn’t until I came here that I understood the unconditional care for another human.”

In addition to Jake’s story, the governor heard of several other success stories of Montana youth who have benefited from their time at YBGR.

Expanding intensive and community-based behavioral health care services across Montana is a top priority for Gov. Gianforte.

Last spring, the governor made a historic $300 million investment to improve the delivery of behavioral health care in Montana when he signed House Bill 872 into law. Proposed by the governor in his Budget for Montana Families, the record investment supports needed repairs at the Montana State Hospital and expands intensive and community-based behavioral health care and developmental disabilities services across Montana.

In June, Gov. Gianforte announced a $15.8 million allocation of the investment in one-time grants to increase bed capacity for community-based residential providers offering behavioral health care or developmental disability services to Montanans.

As part of the investment, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch was awarded $2.3 million to increase residential bed capacity. During the visit on Wednesday, the governor heard from CEO Mike Chavers that these funds will be used to reopen, repair, upgrade, and expand facilities on the Billings campus to expand emergency shelter capacity.