Idaho Youth Ranch to open residential center providing psychiatric treatment for youth

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Idaho Youth Ranch has been constructing a new residential center for over a year, which will open in July.

The residential center will be the first of its kind in Idaho and will provide long-term psychiatric treatment for youth.

"This will take boys and girls ages 11 through 17 and work with them and their family throughout their whole process to help them learn healthy skills, deal with some of their past traumas and, most importantly, be able to move back in their journey with their families and communities," said Scott Curtis, CEO of Idaho Youth Ranch.

The center spreads over 10 acres at the youth ranch's location in canyon county.

"It has a year-round school, dining facilities, recreational facilities, wellness facilities, nursing facilities and of course, the residential facilities which are really critical. It's how the young people are interacting and getting support in their day-to-day living," Scott added.

This psychiatric treatment center will have beds for 64 youth, which fills a desperate need in Idaho, Scott said.

Idaho doesn't have an accredited psychiatric residential treatment facility, so all of those young people are sent across the country. With the new center, Idaho will join Arkansas, Georgia, Texas and Utah in being able to serve their needs at home.

As the youth ranch gets closer to the completion date, the ranch is looking to hire staff, about 114 positions in all.

"We get to do trauma informed work with people that really benefit from our services, and we know that on a day-to-day basis, we're making a huge difference," Scott explained.

You don't need a college degree to work at the center, just a love for kids. The biggest need is for day-to-day care workers that work directly with the youth.

For more information about the project or how to help, click HERE.

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