FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2023

Contact:  Katie Gerten, Marketing & Communications Director
406.531.7069
katherine.gerten@youthdynamics.org

Forging a New Path for Children’s Behavioral Health in Montana

Billings, MT—Youth Dynamics and Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch, two of Montana’s largest children’s behavioral health providers, are excited to announce they are coming together to innovatively address the growing needs of youth statewide.

With a vision to build a comprehensive, seamless support network for children, the fusion of the two nonprofits will bring approximately 4,000 kids served annually and 800 Montanans employed through the organizations together.

Operating as Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch, they will offer a full continuum of children’s behavioral health care in Montana, bringing everything from traditional community-based services and in-school support to Therapeutic Group Homes and PRTF residential treatment under one umbrella.

“The mission of Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, ‘Caring People, Preparing Youth for Life,’ and the vision of Youth Dynamics, ‘Partnering with People to Build Strong Foundations and Belonging,’ have always been aligned. This partnership brings these great organizations and amazing staff together, exponentially increasing the positive impact on Montana’s kids and families.” Mike Chavers, Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch Chief Executive Officer, said.

Mike Chavers was appointed CEO of Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch in 2016 and will continue to lead the nonprofit.

“The services provided between YDI and YBGR have always complimented a full continuum of care. Providing the full array of services under one agency is powerful and seamless for the children and families we serve across Montana. Together, with our long traditions of excellence in children’s care, we have a firm grip on caring for our most vulnerable youth. We are thrilled to join hands with our long-time partner in children’s care,” said Youth Dynamics CEO Dennis Sulser.

Dennis Sulser will retire as CEO of Youth Dynamics to support a new, unified leadership structure for the combined organizations.

Together, Youth Dynamics and Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch have over 100 years of experience serving youth, both with roots in Billings and, today, spread wide across Montana. After coming together, they will continue to specialize in serving the behavioral health needs of Montana kids ages 0-18. With an impact that will reach every corner of the state, this coupling will enhance the quality and efficiency of care for youth, ensuring timely and appropriate service delivery while minimizing barriers for families seeking help.

The pairing was born from a vision to build resilience for future generations sustainably through trauma-sensitive service that empowers families in treatment and strengthens Montana’s overall behavioral health structure.

From initial contact, children and caregivers will benefit from a system designed to reduce wait times for accessing services and streamlined transitions between different levels of care. The aim is for kids to get the support they need more efficiently, receiving the right service at the right time to thrive at the lowest level of care possible.

As we look to the future, the coming together of Youth Dynamics and Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch represents a bold step towards enhancing the overall behavioral health landscape in Montana. It will enable both organizations to reach more children and offer more comprehensive services, empowering families and preparing more youth for life.

To learn more about Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch and Youth Dynamics, please visit their websites at www.ybgr.org and www.youthdynamics.org.

Media Invitation: Press Conference & Ribbon Joining Ceremony

Join us for the symbolic tying of ribbons, signifying the converging paths of our two organizations, and a public briefing to learn more about how our innovative collaboration aims to transform children’s behavioral health care in Montana.

Date: Monday, September 23rd
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch: 1732 South 72nd Street West; Billings, Montana 59106

CEOs Mike Chavers and Dennis Sulser will outline the goals of this strategic alliance and the anticipated benefits for Montana’s youth. As we discuss our forward path, your questions are welcome.

About Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch

Founded in 1957, Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch is a nationally accredited youth mental health treatment center headquartered on a 410-acre campus 12 miles west of Billings, MT. Serving youth from around the country for 67 years, YBGR provides a full continuum of behavioral health services for Seriously Emotionally Disturbed (SED) youth and their families who are struggling with significant trauma, abuse, and neglect. YBGR has state licensure as a Child Placing Agency, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF), Mental Health Center, and Outpatient Chemical Dependency Program.

About Youth Dynamics

Founded in 1981, Youth Dynamics is a leading provider of comprehensive, trauma-informed children’s behavioral health care in Montana. With 17 Community Offices, each serving a 60-mile radius, and Therapeutic Group Homes in Billings, Boulder, Helena, and Great Falls, they provide wraparound support to over 2,000 children and families annually.