6 Months Strong: Reshaping Youth Mental Health Through Integrated Care
On October 6, 2024, Youth Dynamics and Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch came together with bold goals—one of them: improving youth outcomes through integrated care.
Today, six months later, we’re not just marking a milestone—we’re seeing real momentum and measurable impact.
That goal isn’t just taking root. It’s reshaping how care reaches kids across Montana.
Before joining forces, YDI and YBGR each served around 2,000 kids a year. Today, together, we’re reaching that many every day.
Integrated Care in Action
Here’s what we’ve accomplished since Youth Dynamics joined the YBGR team:
Expanded Access and Increased Capacity
The majority of our therapeutic group homes are now at full capacity, with efforts underway to reopen additional locations across Montana. This growth allows more youth to receive care closer to home in an environment that bridges higher levels of treatment and community-based support.
By strengthening this key level of care, we’re reinforcing a continuum that helps kids build a stable foundation for long-term success.
Improved Continuity of Care
Integrated care is reducing delays and strengthening transitions between different levels of service. In our second month as a unified organization, nearly 800 youth entered care under YBGR—a milestone made possible by shared systems, strong collaboration, and the combined strengths of both teams.
Youth now move more seamlessly through the continuum—from case management to group homes to residential treatment—receiving timely, connected support with fewer disruptions.
Increased Responsiveness
Our ability to respond to shifting needs has increased significantly with aligned teams and shared systems. Integrated care allows us to move quickly and deliver the right care at the right time.
When 13-year-old Jason’s needs escalated last fall, that responsiveness made all the difference. After transitioning from residential care at the Ranch to a previous Youth Dynamics group home, it became clear he needed more support.
In the past, moving him to a higher level of care could have taken weeks—time he didn’t have. But one call from Program Manager Jennifer Hawks was all it took to get him the help he needed—without hospitalization or disruption.
“Unifying as one provider allowed us to act fast and provide the care Jason needed when he needed it most.” — Jennifer Hawks, Group Home Program Manager
Today, Jason is back on the road to recovery—proof of what’s possible when we remove barriers and align care.
Across Montana—from Billings to Boulder, Glendive to Great Falls, Malta, Colstrip, and beyond—youth are getting help faster, more consistently, and in environment built for healing.
“With the addition of YDI into our ranks, I’m so grateful that YBGR is able to expand more in the Great Falls area!” — Stacey Sullivan, Therapist, Great Falls
Our progress reflects the strength of a unified mission and the dedication of the people carrying it forward. It shows what happens when two teams come together around a shared vision—and lean in to do hard things for the right reasons.
And we’re just getting started.
This progress is only possible because of the people behind it.
To our teammates across the state—thank you for showing up, embracing the vision behind this new path, and helping carry our mission forward: “Caring people, preparing youth for life.”
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.