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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” That quote, featured in the most recent newsletter of Youth Dynamics Inc. (YDI), says a lot about the private, nonprofit homegrown Montana company that just purchased the Alternative Youth Adventures program in Boulder.
Created 24 years ago, Youth Dynamics provides child and family behavioral health services with a focus on four basic themes:
- Every child deserves to live in a family;
- Teaching families about healthy relationships can help families stay together;
- Community treatment is the most appropriate for kids;
- and Keeping a child in his or her home community is the best option when possible.
“Those principals will guide what the company tries to do with its newest acquisition, the Alternative Youth Adventures and Journey Home programs in Boulder,” said Youth Dynamics Executive Director Peter Degel.
“YDI is very excited about the addition of Alternative Youth Adventures to its service continuum,” he said. “Our excitement extends, as well, to the future as we explore opportunities for other service expansions on the campus.”
Degel and Therapeutic Group Care Supervisor Shari Morin have been in Boulder for much of the last three weeks, getting more familiar with the program and staff that has been added to the Youth Dynamics stable of services.
“The more we learn about the program and become acquainted with the staff, the more excited we become,” said Degel. “AYA has had a long history of quality services and dedication to youth. The staff, without exception, have been so helpful and cooperative, it is easy to understand the past successes of the program.”
Starting with a program in Billings, the company has expanded over the last quarter decade to include programs in Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Lame Deer, Livingston, Miles City, Sidney, Plentywood, and Wolf Point. Through group homes, youth and family shelter care centers, therapeutic foster care, in-home family therapy and more, Youth Dynamics works to help youths and their families through challenges. In all, the organization serves over 900 youths and families throughout Montana.
Day Treatment Facility
Journey Home
Obtaining the Boulder-based services will expand the opportunities for meeting the needs for services to help families and youths, said Degel.
After being in existence for nearly 25 years, the company is on the brink of some major steps, Degel said in the group’s newsletter.
“We are making a concerted effort to raise the public profile of the organization as a premier provider of behavioral health services for Montana youth and families,” he said. “Raising that profile should help increase referrals from parents, teachers and others aware of the needs for extra support and guidance in families.”
The company is also preparing to apply for national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The hope is that the application will be ready in the spring of 2006.
“This has been a long awaited goal, the achievement of which will further the quality of services we provide for Montana children,” he said.
As for the Boulder program, Degel said the organization is still exploring options.
“We are anxious to settle in with the current programs so we can begin to explore other possibilities,” he said.
“As of right now, we do not have a specific vision but we do have dreams about what might be able to happen on the campus. We look forward to working with the staff and community to make the dreams a vision and the possibilities a reality,” he concluded.