Annual 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
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.
YBGR Polson Expands Community-Based Care in Lake County
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
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.
How to Combat Caregiver Burnout Over the Holidays
Who doesn’t love the holidays? The shimmering lights, family gatherings, sweet treats, fireworks, and the sparkle of joy on kids’ faces as they tear open gifts on a cold December morning.
But as any parent knows, that magic doesn’t just happen—it takes work. And when you pile holiday preparations on top of an already full plate, caregiver burnout can creep in fast.
What Is Caregiver Burnout?
Caregiver burnout is the emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that comes from caring for others while neglecting your own needs. It can show up as irritability, fatigue, headaches, sleep issues, or feeling detached from those you love.
Symptoms of Caregiver Burnout
- A change in attitude from feeling loving to feeling negative and unconcerned
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Losing interest in things you previously enjoyed
- Feeling crabby, hopeless, helpless, and exhausted
- Changes in eating habits and body weight
- Different sleep patterns.
- Feeling under the weather or getting sick often
Do any of these sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone.
Many parents say the holiday season brings high levels of stress—and that tension can spill over, dimming the joy for you and your kids.
How to Prevent Caregiver Burnout During the Holidays
Most of us juggle multiple roles—parent, partner, professional, friend—and adding “holiday planner” to the list can feel like too much. Below are a few ways to reduce holiday stress and protect your well-being.
Ask for help.
You don’t have to do it all. Let others lend a hand—whether that’s asking a friend to bring dessert, a partner to take over bedtime, or a grandparent to host one event this year.
Don’t overdo it.
Perfection isn’t the goal—connection is. Simplify traditions, say no when needed, and focus on what truly matters to your family.
Talk it out.
When stress builds, share what’s on your mind. Sometimes a simple conversation with someone you trust can lighten the emotional load.
Take a break.
Rest isn’t indulgent—it’s essential. Step away for a quiet walk, schedule a sitter, or carve out an evening to unwind and recharge.
Seek professional support if you need it.
If your exhaustion lingers for more than two weeks and rest doesn’t help, it may be time to talk with a doctor or therapist. You don’t have to navigate burnout alone.
You’re Not Just a Caregiver—You’re Human
This season, give yourself permission to slow down and savor what really counts. A calmer, more present you is the best gift your family could ask for.
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Celebrating the Reopening of Our River’s Edge Group Home Space
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.
6 Ways to Create Space for Important Conversations
Every day, we navigate important conversations—with coworkers, friends, and family members. Some are easy, while others require us to slow down, listen deeply, and respond with care.
Our ability to self-regulate and remain emotionally grounded plays a critical role in how effectively we communicate. To truly be present with others, we need to create a safe emotional climate, both within ourselves and in the environment around us.
How to Create Space for Important Conversations
Below are six ways you can create a safe space for important conversations with others.
Be Transparent About Your Limitations
When people know what to expect, they feel more comfortable opening up. Be upfront about your time or focus so the other person knows you’re present within clear boundaries.
“Thank you so much for coming in. I do have a meeting at 11:00, but that still gives us a good chunk of time to chat. What’s up?”
Transparency builds trust. It communicates that you value the other person’s time while being honest about your own.
Be Consistent and Predictable
Predictability creates safety. When others can anticipate how you’ll respond, they’re less likely to feel anxious or defensive.
Speak in an even, calm tone—what we like to call your “DJ voice.” Steady, low, and measured speech signals that you’re approachable and in control, even in emotionally charged moments.
Mind Your Demeanor
Words matter, but nonverbal cues often speak louder. Notice your body language.
Unclench your jaw, relax your shoulders, and soften your eyes. A calm, open posture communicates empathy and emotional steadiness before you even say a word.
Prepare Before Important Meetings
Take five to ten minutes before meetings or conversations to transition out of what you were working on. Ground yourself with a few deep breaths, clear your mind, and set an intention for the discussion.
That slight pause helps you show up mentally and emotionally present—not distracted or reactive.
Know When to Reschedule
If you’re not in the right frame of mind, it’s okay to hit pause. Going into a tough conversation while stressed or preoccupied rarely leads to connection.
Rescheduling isn’t avoidance—it’s respect. It ensures you can give the other person your full attention when it truly matters.
Creating a Culture of Safety
Emotional safety begins with self-awareness. When we take the time to regulate ourselves first, we make space for understanding, empathy, and trust to grow. Whether at home, in the workplace, or within our teams, safe conversations start with grounded people.
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Strengthening Families in Montana: Small Acts of Care
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
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.
How to Help Kids with ADHD Thrive
Are you looking for ways to help kids with ADHD thrive? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that affects how children think, learn, and connect with the world around them.
More than six million kids in the United States live with ADHD, and understanding how it shapes their experiences is key to helping them reach their full potential.
Keep reading for ways to support kids living with ADHD, and check out our blog post, 16 Quotes That Illustrate ADHD, for more perspective on the diagnosis.
Quotes on How to Help Kids with ADHD Thrive
Quote 1: Kids do well if they can. If they aren’t doing well, it means there’s a barrier between effort and success that must be addressed. – Dr. Ross Greene
Quote 2: I am always open to communication, but I need to hear positive comments about my son as well. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 3: Ask students to set small achievable learning goals so they can experience success. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 4: The key is pushing kids past their comfort zone but not so far that they feel overwhelmed. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 5: Multi-step directions are counterproductive. There is just too much information to take in and retain. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 6: Research shows that distractible kids need to fidget in order to focus. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 7: The more of my senses you address, the more engaged I will be in learning. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 8: Teach students to write down questions that occur to them during “silent time.” – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 9: Delayed consequences, such as detention, don’t work for kids with ADHD. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 10: Don’t assign homework as a punishment or consequence for misbehavior at school. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 11: Research shows that music helps the ADHD brain organize time and space, aiding in learning and memory. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 12: Choice increases motivation, and motivation increases learning. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 13: Provide opportunities for kids to show divergent, creative, and imaginative thinking—and to receive recognition for that originality. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 14: The best teacher for a child with ADHD is one who celebrates and works with their student’s creativity, energy, and curiosity. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 15: Success at school is the single more therapeutic thing a child can experience. – Chris Ziegler Deny, M.S.
Want More?
Check out the rest of our blog 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 YBGR and Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.
Closing the Season in the Indigenous Garden
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.
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.
16 Quotes That Illustrate ADHD
Have you heard of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? It’s a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person thinks, learns, and behaves.
Below are details about the condition, the strengths that often accompany it, and quotes that capture what it’s like to live with ADHD.
Hallmark symptoms include:
Inattentive Type
- Trouble paying attention (easily sidetracked)
- Doesn’t like or avoids long mental tasks (such as homework)
- Trouble staying on task during school, at home, or even at play
- Disorganized and seems forgetful
- Doesn’t appear to listen when directly spoken to
- Doesn’t pay close attention to details
- Loses things often
- Makes careless mistakes
- Struggles to follow through with instructions
Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
- Blurting out answers before a question is finished
- Frequently interrupting others
- Trouble waiting for their turn
- Talks too much
- Fidgeting, tapping, and squirming
- Gets up when it’s not appropriate (such as when the teacher is talking or in the middle of dinner)
- Running or climbing in inappropriate situations.
- Unable to play quietly
- Always “on the go.”
Kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder present predominantly with inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or, most frequently, a combination of symptoms.
It often coexists with learning, autism spectrum, anxiety, and mood disorders, and children exposed to trauma may be misdiagnosed with the condition.
Children with ADHD think differently and have a host of strengths.
16 Quotes Illustrating ADHD
Below are sixteen quotes that paint a portrait of what life is like for kids living with ADHD.
Quote 1: Only a small fraction of children with ADHD demonstrate outwardly hyperactive symptoms. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 2: Anyone who exhibits the classic symptoms of ADHD will have difficulty with all or most of the seven core executive functions. – Russell Barkley, Ph.D.
Quote 3: Even mild stress floods the prefrontal cortex with dopamine, essentially taking it offline. – Adele Diamond, Ph.D.
Quote 4: Many kids with ADHD shut down when overwhelmed. They may act out when confronted with meeting parental expectations, like cleaning their room, as they have no idea how to start and finish. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 5: Repeated bouts of fear, frustration and failure in school create stress that is neurologically damaging. – Jerome Scultz, Ph.D.
Quote 6: A lot of kids will develop poor self-esteem related to the symptoms of ADHD. – Perri Klass, M.D. & Eileen Costello, M.D.
Quote 7: Teens with ADHD often have a deep-seated fear of failure that can look like a problem with motivation. – Rick Fiery, M.S.
Quote 8: Many boys with social anxiety retreat into a virtual world of gaming because it is safer and easier than possibly facing rejection from peers. – Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW
Quote 9: The way ADHD often expresses itself in girls—excessive talking, poor self-esteem, worrying, perfectionism—is seldom read as such. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 10: Executive function challenges are often mistaken for disobedience, laziness, defiance, or apathy. – Chris Zeigler Dendy, M.S.
Quote 11: For kids with ADHD, poor behavior usually blossoms from a skill deficit. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 12: Children with ADHD have lower brain arousal; this decreases their ability to screen out distractions. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 13: For kids with undiagnosed dyslexia, everyday schooling is like being taught in a foreign language. – Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D.
Quote 14: Auditory processing disorder may impair auditory discrimination, listening in noisy environments, and recalling what you’ve heard and the sequence of words spoken. – ADDitude Magazine
Quote 15: Kids do well if they can. If they aren’t doing well, it means there’s a barrier between effort and success that must be addressed. – Dr. Ross Greene
Quote 16: Success at school is the single more therapeutic thing a child can experience. – Chris Ziegler Deny, M.S.
How to Help Kids with ADHD Thrive
Read the blog below for tips on how to support kids with ADHD.
Learn More: How to Help Kids with ADHD Thrive
Want More?
Check out the rest of our blog 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 YBGR and Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.
What Difference Can One Year Make for Montana Youth Mental Health?
When it comes to Montana youth mental health, one year can change everything. For kids and families across the state, it’s meant more access to care, more stability, and more hope.
This month marks one year since Youth Dynamics (YDI) joined Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR)—a partnership grounded in compassion, collaboration, and commitment to strengthening the continuum of care for youth and families. Together, we’ve expanded our reach, unified our systems, and built a stronger foundation for healing across Montana.
Expanding Reach and Impact
In the past year, our team of over 740 caring people across YBGR and Yellowstone Academy has made a measurable difference. We’ve seen a 46% increase in youth served through therapeutic group homes, giving more kids a safe, supportive place to heal and grow.
These homes are more than programs—they’re communities where young people build relationships, rediscover purpose, and gain the skills they need for a successful future. This growth reflects not only increased capacity but the heart of our shared mission: helping kids and families thrive close to home.
Strengthening Systems That Support Care
Behind each success is a focus on stewardship and connection. Over the past year, YBGR has implemented streamlined systems that enhance how we work, communicate, and support one another. These improvements allow teams to spend more time where it matters most—caring for youth and families.
Together, we’re building a stronger, more responsive behavioral health system—one that ensures kids receive the right care, at the right time, close to home.
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.