BOZEMAN EDITION
The Monthly ré • AD publication
reyadvertising.com
The Gift of a Home
December 2015
IN THIS ISSUE Page 2
Artists Gallery
Page 8 Tart
In the last six months, more than 500 youth have entered the Montana foster care system, but, with fewer than 60 Youth Dynamics licensed therapeutic foster homes throughout the state, there aren’t enough homes in which to house them. As of August 31, 2015, there were approximately 2,718 youth in the system and only 903 available homes. The housing shortage is reaching critical levels throughout the state, but is particularly dire in Gallatin and Park counties, where local youth are being sent elsewhere to obtain foster placement. And, with anywhere from three to six new referrals for youth needing Youth Dynamics’ foster care placement every week, the future is anything but bright.
fulfillment of knowing that they have helped to change the course of a child’s life.
Currently experiencing staggering statewide foster housing deficits, Youth Dynamics is asking the 20 communities it serves throughout Montana to consider opening their hearts and homes to deserving youth. “We would like to have a base of a minimum of 20 to 30 homes so that we are adequately able to meet the need for youth needing placement,” remarks Katherine Gerten, Public Relations Coordinator. “At this point, every home that we license is immediately filled.”
A Montana-based non-profit since 1981, Youth Dynamics provides family focused behavioral health treatment founded on the principles of an actively caring culture in which people can realize their full potential. “Our top priorities at Youth Dynamics are to deliver the best behavioral health services possible, to keep families together, and to make certain the kids we serve have the opportunity to grow and live in a family,” states Executive Director Peter Degel, PhD. “Our programs and services are focused on promoting partnerships and collaborations to honor these principles.”
Youth Dynamics foster parents provide care to vulnerable youth in their home anywhere from two days a month for respite to two years. Important members of a youth’s treatment team, foster parents implement treatment strategies to help youth manage emotions, build coping skills and recover from severe emotional disturbance, while providing a safe, stable and emotionally secure environment that lays the foundation for recovery. In exchange, foster parents receive support, financial reimbursement and the
The process for becoming a foster parent is fairly simple, involving a background check, application and basic training. Once licensed, foster parents work with a Family Development Coordinator and the clinical staff to find an appropriate match. Foster parents are given full access to a youth’s file and full support of the Youth Dynamics team to ensure that the placement is a good fit. Since a child and foster family’s well-being and success are Youth Dynamics priority, they are committed to affirming that the placement is a healthy fit for all involved.
Page 10
Verge Theatre
Page 13
Harley's Corner
Committed to providing comprehensive and progressive behavioral health services to meet the evolving needs of youth and families, Youth Dynamics primarily serves youth with a severely emotionally disturbed (SED) diagnosis, such as oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression (continued on page 5)
Visit Us Online: REYADVERTISING.COM