No Merit Found In Allegations Against YBGR

An attorney for the parent of a California youth made an accusation of abuse that was posted at an on-line news source in October. Due to HIPAA regulations regarding the privacy of patients, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch is unable to comment on this specific case. Allegations of abuse are investigated by authorities including the Child and Family Protective Services, and the Department of Health and Human Services for the State of Montana.

A letter dated November 16, 2007 from Larry Sheneman, Department of Public Health and Human Services, Division of Quality Assurance for the State of Montana, indicates that the facility is in good standing, and no licensing rule violations could be substantiated upon investigation of the accusation.

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, located in Billings, Montana has been serving youth and families for over 50 years. Since 1957, over 5,000 youth have been served in residential treatment, and between 550-750 youth and families are served daily in community based programs, such as therapeutic foster care, case management, in-school mental health services, in-home therapeutic family living, independent living and community homes.

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch holds accreditation with the Council on Accreditation (COA). COA is an independent accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. COA's accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization's administrative operations and service delivery against national standards of best practice.

"The story that was posted on-line, pictured a restraint bed that is not from our facility. Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch does not use any kind of mechanical/leather restraint," according to Glenn McFarlane, CEO, " Staff are trained in procedures to help youth de-escalate their behaviors. When youth are a danger to themselves or others we sometimes hold children according to established national standards that were developed by Cornell University." Physical hold procedures are all documented and a nurse examines a child after a procedure.

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch and Yellowstone Academy are licensed in the State of Montana. Yellowstone Academy (YA) is an accredited K-8 public school district and an accredited private high school staffed by Montana-certified teachers and administrators, paraeducators, and support personnel. YA is located on the YBGR main campus and provides various educational settings in order to ensure an atmosphere where educational success is achievable for each youth. "The kids we serve here are kids who have been unsuccessful. They succeed here because of our combination of educational and vocational settings," said Ed Zabrocki, the Superintendent of Yellowstone Academy, "Kids thrive in a hands-on setting."

Children, adolescents, and their families are referred to YBGR by parents, psychiatrists, psychologists, clergy, social workers, professional counselors, juvenile court workers, school counselors, families, inpatient hospital discharge planners and other agencies and individuals.

YBGR has been meeting the mental health needs of youth and families for over 50 years. YBGR and YA employ nearly 500 people across Montana, and are one of the 20 top employers in Yellowstone County.