The Ted Lechner Youth Services Center programs work with youth, families and the community providing opportunities for a successful independent lifestyle.
Ted Lechner Youth Services Center provides temporary shelter care for youth in crisis through referrals from Montana Department of Family Services and Youth Court Services. Youth between the ages of 12 and 17 are provided programing, education, and counseling services to help them transition back home or a transitional therapeutic environment. The shelter care program is licensed by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
Ted Lechner Youth Services Center is also a eastern Montana regional juvenile detention facility for youth between the ages of 10 and 17 who have been remanded by law enforcement, Youth Court Services, or the District Courts of Montana. Youth receive programming and education while their criminal cases are being resolved. Youth Detention is licensed by the Montana Department of Corrections.
Ted Lechner Youth Services Center Education Program offers an individualized General Education Program in both Shelter Care and Secure Detention. Inventory testing is conducted to determine the skills and knowledge currently possessed by the student, then appropriate educational materials are employed to aid in the realization of the student’s educational goals. YSC currently employs two education specialists on our staff: Amanda Cortez (paraeducator) and Hank Richards (Lead Educator). YSC is certified as a Montana HiSET testing facility and is certified in accordance with the Montana Office of Public Instruction to award original and recovery credits to our students.
Students prepare for the HiSET test using the online program Essential Education and by completing all required pretests. Many of our students participate in online credit recovery and earn original credit using APEX and MT EdReady. The YSC Education Program was the first detention center in the state to incorporate Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) into our framework. “PBIS is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health.” (pbis.org)
The YSC Ed Program’s PBIS framework is anchored to our National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). “NASP is an in-school program aimed at improving educational performance among students in grades 4 – 12. Students learn focus, self-control, discipline, patience, and the life lessons required to be successful in the classroom and in life.” (naspschools.org). Our Shelter Care students have participated in NASP since 2008. Many YSC students have successfully transitioned out of our program with a new love for archery.
The YSC PBIS expectations: “On T.A.R.G.E.T”
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Ted Lechner Youth Services Center initiated the Family Stabilization Program (FSP) approximately 20yrs ago that includes a combination of inpatient and outpatient therapeutic programming. It was born out of the notion of juveniles being placed out of the community and would get their individual needs met, but oftentimes the family dynamics were not addressed. FSP clients are identified by their Probation Officers and if appropriate, placed in our Shelter Care Facility for approximately 45-60 days. During that time the juvenile participates in individual and family counseling as well as Chemical Dependency (CD) treatment if applicable. When that youth discharges, they are expected to participate in the 90-day aftercare period to successfully complete the entire program. During aftercare, the youth and family continue to engage in individual, family, and CD counseling. The CD Counselor and Program Therapist also provide Crisis-on-call services to the youth and their families during this time.
Ted Lechner Youth Services Center employes a Chemical Dependency Specialist who provides both in-house and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Chemical Dependency treatment. In-house treatment is provided for both shelter care and detention youth. Intensive out-patient groups are held Monday through Thursday from 3:30-6:30 pm and Outpatient Support Groups are held each Monday and Thursday from 3:30-5:00 pm. Substance Abuse Disorder Assessments are available upon request. Please call (406) 671-2119 for more information.