• Are you a licensed facility?
• Is the staff experienced?
• What kinds of students are admitted to the ranch?
• How are behavioral issues addressed?
• How long is the program at Turning D Ranch?
• What kind of communication can I expect regarding my child’s progress?
• Will my child receive school credit for his classes?
• How often will my child be involved in outdoor activities?
• What will my child need to bring?
• How are parents involved?
• What can I do to support my child, the staff, and the program?
• Do you work with educational consultants?
• What happens when my child turns 18?
• Will I be able to get references from parents whose son has been a participant at Turning D Ranch?
• Will my son be able to keep in contact with the ranch after he graduates?

Are you a licensed facility?

Yes, we are licensed with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry as a Private Alternative Adolescent Residential Program. Licensure in the state of Montana has been an ongoing process that we have been a part of. It was only recently that a provisional license was available.

Is the staff experienced?

Yes. The director and his wife have experience in working with teens in a residential program environment. The staff members are trained, educated and experienced to provide quality care to the young men and their families with varying issues and problems.

What kinds of students are admitted to the Ranch?

Students come to Turning D Ranch with a wide range of emotional, social, and academic challenges. Many of our students struggle with lack of confidence and/or low self-esteem. Often many of these challenges are manifested through negative behaviors and deteriorating family relationships. These are good kids that come from good families but are making unhealthy decisions and poor choices.

How are behavioral issues addressed?

We believe that natural, logical, and non-punitive consequences are the best motivators to produce long-lasting change. Students are immersed in a positive peer culture in which staff and peers are both supportive and confrontive of inappropriate behavior. This approach compliments our program philosophy and encourages solution-oriented outcomes.

How long is the program at Turning D Ranch?

The average length of stay is 9 to 12 months. Program length will vary depending on a student’s individual progress. Successful program completion occurs when a student has achieved all levels and has spent time (two to four months typically) as a transition student. If a student completes all levels, including transition, he will be honored with a completion ceremony.

What kind of communication can I expect regarding my child’s progress?

Each week you will have a phone call giving you a brief overview of how things are going with your son. Once a quarter you will receive a report (Plan Review) updating you on the progress your child is making in the program. If your son has unresolved court issues reports will be sent out meeting those obligations.

Will my child receive school credit for his classes?

Credits are transferable. The students at the ranch are provided with fully accredited material. School time at Turning D Ranch is year-round and allows us to offer an extra semester per year. This allows students an opportunity to either “catch up” or move ahead academically. The ranch offers open enrollment and the ability to graduate from high school.

How often will my child be involved in outdoor activities?

Every day! We believe students need fresh air, sunshine, and exercise on a daily basis. Some examples are outdoor work projects on campus or in the community, planting gardens, tending to animals, recreational activities, hiking, and or participating in overnight camping.

What will my child need to bring?

In order to maintain a sense of focus and structure, we have a dress code. The ranch provides parents with a specific list of items for their son. Please be aware any items not on the clothing list will be sent home at parent’s expense. Please refer to the clothing/personal needs list in the parent manual.

How are parents involved?

We believe active family involvement is a critical component of treatment. Our experience indicates that a student will “work” only as hard as his family is “working”. This sometimes requires parents to seek therapy at home. We also engage families through parent-family Workshops which help facilitate long-lasting change for the entire family. Workshops are multi-family style groups that incorporate our core principles and focus on communication, honesty, and trust.

What can I do to support my child, the staff, and the program?

The students at the ranch are good kids from good homes who are making poor choices. They come from families who love them, sometimes to the point of not allowing their child to feel the pain of having to be responsible for their inappropriate behavior. We want our parents to be supportive, but not bail out or rescue the student in lieu of working the program. Please give your child the message in a supportive and loving way that you expect he will make it work, face his issues, and accept his consequences for his actions. Once your child gets a clear and consistent message from his family that they support Turning D Ranch and they have faith that he will choose to work the program and stop working you, we can then expect to start moving forward.

Do you work with educational consultants?

We work with educational consultants and counselors from many different locations. Educational consultants are professionals who assist students and families with high school and college planning. They provide experience and knowledge to formulate placement decisions during a time that is confusing and stressful. They have experience with a wide variety of schools and programs and can assist in maximizing the chance for a successful treatment outcome.

What happens when my child turns 18?

If a student turns 18 while enrolled at Turning D Ranch, he must voluntarily sign himself in and make the decision to stay and finish the program. Many of our students will stay and complete their high school education with us allowing them a fresh start in a new direction.

Will I be able to get references from parents whose son has been a participant at Turning D Ranch?

Absolutely, references will be made available upon request.

Will my son be able to keep in contact with the Ranch after he graduates?

Our services don’t end because a student graduates. We support and encourage all students and parents to stay in contact with the ranch. It is important your son feels he has support while making the transition back home or to his new endeavor. As he continues to grow in his transitions becoming more confident in himself, we expect to hear from him less often.

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