On behalf of the Gallatin County Mental Health Local Advisory Council (LAC), we are writing in support of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR), in collaboration with the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition (GBHC), and their efforts to establish The Lighthouse Ranch, a new youth campus in Gallatin County.
The LAC is a coalition of community members committed to assessing, planning, and strengthening public mental health services in our county. We believe The Lighthouse Ranch will be a vital resource in advancing these goals. Its mission of connecting teens and families to the help and answers they need to navigate crisis and build a solid path to recovery, responds directly to needs we hear consistently from our community.
This in-residence care model is especially significant, as many families are currently forced to seek services outside Gallatin County, disrupting essential family, school, and peer connections. YBGR, a statewide leader serving thousands of children and families annually, is stepping forward to help establish a local campus that will allow youth to heal safely within their community. This approach strengthens our continuum of care and eases the burden on families already in crisis.
LAC members have visited YBGR’s main campus in Billings and engaged with leadership about concerns regarding employee misconduct. We are encouraged by their transparency and the steps taken to strengthen safeguards moving forward.
The LAC fully supports YBGR and GBHC in bringing this innovative model to Gallatin County. We are confident that The Lighthouse Ranch will have a lasting positive impact on youth, families, and the broader community.