Category: News

Caring for Montana Kids: A Look Back at 2025

December 31, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Happy New Year Goodbye 2025 Welcome 2026

What happens when caring people show up for kids, day after day, across an entire state? A lot! Our work shows up in homes, programs, and everyday decisions made with the children and families we serve in mind.

Caring for Montana Kids — 2025 Highlights

Below are a few moments from 2025 that show what caring for Montana kids looked like across our work.

Showing Up for Kids Across Montana

In 2025, we served over 3,200 children statewide, reaching roughly 1,800 kids each day through our community-based services, group homes, Yellowstone Academy, and residential care at the Ranch.

During our Council on Accreditation review, families put that impact into their own words:

“We love how they treat our kids. We know when they’re with Yellowstone, they are safe.”

“I couldn’t do this without them. I’m now proud of myself.”

“My kid wouldn’t be alive without them.”

The voices above guide us more than numbers alone ever could.

COA Seal of Excellence Through 2029

In September, the Council on Accreditation (COA) renewed our seal of excellence after a four-day onsite review. COA affirmed the quality of our services and the integrity of how we care for children and families.

This recognition belongs to our team and everyone who walks alongside us.

7 New Yellowstone Academy Graduates

Last spring, Yellowstone Academy celebrated one of its largest graduating classes, including the first student to complete their full K–12 journey with us.

Each graduate carried a story of perseverance and courage—even when the path was hard.

Hats off to the 2025 Yellowstone Academy high school graduates! 🎓

Investing in the People Who Care for Kids

Our mission doesn’t move forward without our team.

From launching Bucketlist, our peer-to-peer recognition platform, to refreshing core learning, expanding the training team, and strengthening communication channels, 2025 was about investing in culture and in the tools our team needs to prepare youth for life.

In May, we celebrated our graduating MSW class through Carroll College as part of our Grow Our Own program—a milestone that reflects what’s possible when we invest in our own caring people.

Strengthening the Places Where Care Happens

In 2025, we invested in the places where care happens—strengthening the trauma-informed spaces that support our mission.

Here are a few highlights:

Bathroom upgrades and interior updates across lodges at the Ranch, with work currently underway at Leuthold, Dorothy’s, and Kramlich Lodge
Major renovations at River’s Edge Group Home in Billings, and bathroom upgrades at Lewis and Clark Group Home in Helena
Continued investment in our Campus Security Project, now in Phase IV and nearing completion
Updated signage across our facilities for a refreshed, consistent statewide look

These upgrades were made possible in part by the HB 872 grant and the generous support of donors through the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation.

Connecting Faster, Caring Better

We brought all of our locations onto a single telecommunications system through Dialpad, making it easier for families and partners to reach us and for our teams to coordinate in real time.

Better connection means quicker, more collaborative care for kids.

Looking Ahead

As we enter the new year, we want to thank our team for their care and commitment. No doubt, they live our mission, demonstrating what it truly means to be Caring People, Preparing Youth for Life.

And to the families who trust us and the partners who stand beside us—thank you.

Cheers to 2025! And here’s to an even stronger 2026!

Stay Connected

Stay tuned for our latest news updates from across Montana, and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch and YBGR.

Christmas Eve Breakfast at the Ranch — A Holiday Tradition

December 24, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

For many of the kids in our care, the holidays are spent away from home, making moments of connection and familiarity especially meaningful. That’s why Christmas Eve breakfast at the Ranch remains an important tradition.

From the moment kids arrived to Donald Nutter Memorial Dining Hall this year, they were welcomed by smiling faces, festive décor, and tables set for a special holiday morning. A hot breakfast included cinnamon rolls, sausage links, cheesy eggs, and fresh fruit, followed by a visit to the hot cocoa station with toppings and candy canes.

Some kids arrived in cozy pajamas, others dressed up for the day ahead—but all were met with the same sense of care and belonging.

More Than a Holiday Breakfast

As plates were filled and volunteers poured juice, conversation and laughter filled the room. Tables worked together on Christmas trivia, creating connection throughout the dining hall.

Soon, whispers spread as Santa arrived. Smiles widened as he moved from table to table, bringing a sense of wonder to the room.

Chapel services followed, with voices rising together in familiar Christmas carols—closing the morning with reflection and connection.

Why This Tradition Matters

The Christmas Eve breakfast at the Ranch does more than provide a holiday meal. It creates lasting memories and reinforces a sense of belonging for kids in our care.

Thank You to Our Volunteers

Thank you to the volunteers who made this morning possible. Your generosity and presence made a meaningful difference.

Stay Connected

Shelby Community Stroll: A Sweet Holiday Tradition

December 19, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

What does community connection look like in action? In Shelby, it looks like showing up, year after year, for families, kids, and neighbors during the Shelby Community Stroll.

This December marked our Shelby community-based services team’s third year hosting cookie decorating as part of the annual holiday event. Their presence has become a familiar and welcomed part of the celebration, creating space for families to gather, connect, and enjoy the season together.

Every detail reflected what matters most in small-town communities—relationships and a shared sense of belonging. From baking to decorating to cheering each other on, the day was rooted in connection.

A Holiday Tradition That Brings People Together

Our participation in this year’s event was made possible by the dedication of our Shelby team, with Jessica Kjos, Administrative Supervisor, baking more than 200 cookies and preparing frosting for kids and families to decorate and enjoy.

Families stopped by throughout the stroll, kids proudly showed off their creations, and the space buzzed with conversation and laughter.

The celebration wrapped up on a high note, with the team taking home first place in the business holiday decorations contest, making it a pretty sweet day all around.

Showing Up Across Our Communities

For the Shelby team, events like this are about more than festivities. They’re about being present, building trust, and staying connected to the community they serve every day.

That same commitment shows up in communities across Montana, shaped by local relationships and needs.

To our Shelby team and the families who welcomed us into their holiday celebration, thank you. We’re grateful to be part of the Toole County community.

Stay Connected

YBGR Partners With Many Rivers Whole Health to Strengthen Youth Transitions to Adult Care

December 8, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Did you know young adults ages 18–25 have the highest rate of serious mental illness? Research also shows that during the transition into adulthood, when gaps form in care, the risk of psychiatric hospitalization and ER visits rises. Strengthening how we’re transitioning youth into adult mental health care is essential to closing those gaps.

Great Outcomes Happen When We Work Together

When providers collaborate, Montanans experience stronger outcomes.

That’s why we’re proud to announce our partnership with Many Rivers Whole Health, expanding support for youth in Cascade County as they move from children’s services into adult mental health care. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to stability and continuity as youth take their next steps.

Pictured above are Holly Kober and Linda Robbins from Many Rivers alongside Brittany Olson, Therapist, and Mariah Lefebre, Lead Mental Health Worker, from our North Skyline Group Home in Great Falls.

Why Transitional Care Matters

As youth age out of children’s services, the need for support doesn’t disappear—it shifts. Without a coordinated handoff into adult care, young adults can face gaps that increase the likelihood of crisis and instability.

Our partnership with Many Rivers strengthens that handoff and supports transitioning youth into adult mental health care in a way that keeps their progress moving forward.

Building Stronger Foundations for Montanans

Through this partnership, youth in Cascade County enter adulthood with a solid footing—supported by a seamless move to adult services. As we improve how we’re transitioning youth into adult mental health care, we’re strengthening Montana’s system of care and building stronger foundations for Montanans.

Stay Connected

Youth Satisfaction Survey Highlights the Power of Caring People

December 3, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

What does healing feel like for the kids in our therapeutic group homes? This year’s youth satisfaction survey offers a direct look, showing how caring adults shape the experience of the youth we serve.

Every response reflects what matters most to the kids in our community-rooted residential care: feeling supported, staying connected to family, and having opportunities to grow. Their feedback guides us as we strengthen programs and continue building supportive, relationship-centered environments across our homes.

What Kids Say Makes the Difference

Youth shared what they value most in their experience with us. Here’s a snapshot of their feedback (edited for readability and privacy):

“The staff are very caring.”

“I’m able to see my family every week. Staff also care about us.”

“I like that they give me an opportunity to correct my mistakes and move on.”

Three strengths stood out across our homes:

Nutritious, consistent meals supporting physical and emotional well-being
Trauma-informed, de-escalation-based care
Coaching around prescribed medications to empower youth in their treatment

Strong Results Across Our Residential Programs

Survey scores reflected high satisfaction, with every home and every question averaging above 3.5.

Lewis and Clark (Helena), North Skyline (Great Falls), and our Boulder campus each received scores above 4.0, reinforcing the high-quality, relationship-focused care happening within our therapeutic group homes.

For families served through our community-based services, watch for a survey arriving by email in the weeks ahead.

Stay Connected

Annual Kalispell Thanksgiving Dinner Brings Families Together

November 26, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Annual YBGR Kalispell Thanksgiving Dinner Brings Families Together

What brings families back to the same table year after year? A place where they feel supported, welcomed, and connected.

This week, families gathered once again in Kalispell for our annual Thanksgiving dinner hosted by our Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services (CWPSS) team. Local families, CASA workers, and partners from Child and Family Services joined us for an evening of sharing a meal, reconnecting, and strengthening the relationships that help kids thrive.

A Tradition Rooted in Family and Community Connection

This Thanksgiving dinner tradition began years ago in Kalispell with Berni McDonald, CWPSS Program Supervisor, and Tammy Eads, Administrative Supervisor—long before either joined our YBGR family.

Pictured: Tammy Eads, Kalispell Administrative Supervisor, and Berni McDonald, CWPSS Supervisor, at last night’s Thanksgiving celebration for families. This holiday tradition began years ago with Tammy and Berni—long before they joined the YBGR team. The two created it to support Flathead County families.

What began as a simple effort to bring people together has grown into a meaningful tradition for current families, program graduates, and our community partners, who form a critical network of support for the Flathead County residents we serve.

Since becoming part of the YBGR umbrella of care, our Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services program in Kalispell has helped dozens of families find stability and build strong foundations for the future.

Expanding Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services Across Montana

Because of the impact in Kalispell and the growing need statewide, our Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services program is now expanding across our community-based care locations.

The program partners with Child and Family Services—blending parent education, parent coaching, and care coordination to prevent separation, support reunification efforts, and strengthen family systems.

Events like this dinner show what that work looks like in action: connection, consistency, and a community that shows up for families.

To everyone who made this night possible—and to the families who open their lives to us—thank you. Your trust, care, and commitment are valued. We’re grateful for you.

Stay Connected

YBGR Polson Expands Community-Based Care in Lake County

November 5, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR) continues to extend its mission of caring people, preparing youth for life through the YBGR Polson office, part of the organization’s growing network of community-based services across Montana.

The Lake County team—Anna Paige, Home Support Services Specialist; Siera Chowning, Therapist; and Timothy Sellars, Targeted Case Manager—provides therapy, skill-building, and family support to help youth stay connected to their homes and schools. Their work strengthens family systems and builds the resilience needed for kids to thrive within their communities.

Strengthening Families Across Montana

Through YBGR’s community-based programs, families can access the care they need without having to travel far from home. From Polson to Billings and beyond, the care we provide touches the lives of children and families in nearly every county across Montana. Our teams work side by side with families in homes, schools, and community settings—empowering youth to grow stronger every day.

We’re grateful for the commitment of the YBGR Polson crew and for the Lake County families who partner with us in this vital work.

Stay Connected

Celebrating the Reopening of Our River’s Edge Group Home Space

October 29, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

Celebrating the Re-Opening of Our River’s Edge Group Home in Billings

Our Billings Group Home team gathered this week, welcoming crewmates from the Ranch and across the state for a festive, Halloween-themed tour of our homes, including the newly renovated River’s Edge space.

The event brought together caring people from across our network who deliver care through our therapeutic group homes in Billings and beyond. Between laughter, costumes, and reconnecting, the celebration reflected the teamwork and commitment that fuel our mission.

Strengthening Care Across Montana

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 Billings, Boulder, Helena, and Great Falls. Each home offers 24-hour supervision, treatment, and advocacy in a supportive community setting—helping youth find stability and build resilience.

Across Montana, our residential group home and Ranch teams provide care for youth in need of safe, structured environments that support their path toward healing. Every day, they create nurturing spaces where kids grow stronger, build relationships, and move toward brighter futures.

We’re grateful for their dedication and for the life-changing work they do daily with the youth in our care.

Stay Connected

Stay tuned to our news updates for the latest from across Montana, and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch and YBGR.

Strengthening Families in Montana: Small Acts of Care

October 24, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

A Small Act of Care Makes a Big Difference for a Kalispell Family

What does “Caring people, preparing youth for life” look like in action? Sometimes, it’s as simple as showing up with a cake.

In Kalispell, a child in our Child Welfare Prevention and Support Services (CWPSS) program recently celebrated their first birthday. When the father couldn’t bring something to mark the day, Michael Palumbo, Family Unification Specialist, stepped in—picking up a smash cake and a candle so the milestone wouldn’t go uncelebrated.

It was a small gesture that spoke volumes about the heart of our mission. Acts of care like this remind us that caring for children and families isn’t only about services—it’s about people who notice the little things and go the extra mile.

Strengthening Families Across Montana

Our CWPSS program partners with Child and Family Services to strengthen families and keep kids safely at home whenever possible. Through parent education, supervised visitation, and care coordination, our team helps prevent separation and supports reunification—building resilient, stable family systems across Montana.

These efforts are part of a broader network of family support services in Montana, helping children thrive in their own homes and communities. Every day, caring professionals like Michael Palumbo show what it means to be caring people, preparing youth for life—meeting families where they are and ensuring that no milestone, big or small, goes unnoticed.

Stay Connected

Closing the Season in the Indigenous Garden

October 17, 2025NewsKatie Gerten

The first freeze of fall arrived earlier this month, marking a shift in season and spirit across the Ranch in Billings. Before the chill set in, Josie Brady, Native American Services Coordinator, and Liz Campoy, PR Coordinator, made one final visit to the Indigenous Garden—a space rooted in culture, healing, and connection. Together, they harvested the last of the season’s bounty and prepared the garden for rest.

A Season of Abundance in the Indigenous Garden

The Indigenous Garden radiated life and color—delicata squash, tomatoes, marigolds, pumpkins, sunflowers, corn, tomatillos, cucumbers, peppers, and lemon balm. Each plant carried purpose and meaning.

Tomatoes were simmered into soup served with grilled cheese sandwiches, while marigolds and lemon balm steeped into calming teas. Pumpkins brightened shared spaces with their cheerful hues, and cucumbers and peppers offered fresh, nourishing simplicity.

Using tomatoes and jalapeños from the harvest, homemade salsa brought people together—a gift from the earth shared in community.

Connection, Renewal, and Rest

For Josie and Liz, harvesting in the Indigenous Garden was more than gathering food—it was a spiritual experience, a quiet connection to the ancestors who once tended these same crops for their families. With each seed, root, and blossom, their wisdom was honored, and wellness renewed.

Working the soil grounded the spirit, cleared the mind, and reminded all who helped that healing grows in cycles—just like the earth.

As the beds are cleared and the soil rests, the Indigenous Garden enters a season of renewal—its lessons of gratitude, growth, and connection continuing to nourish all who walk its paths.