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New Perspectives -
Mar, 2000 Issue #67
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Bailie Memorial Youth Ranch, designated as a Child Placing Agency,
has five licensed foster homes on a fifteen acre central campus in the middle of a forty-two-hundred-acre ranch near the Tri-Cities
in Washington State. They generally accept boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 14 at enrollment who they determine can be helped
by their program, based on information acquired through an extensive application process, reference checks and interview. Applicants
need to be able to attend the nearby public school and have had no drug use in the last 3 months. The Ranch screens out a history
of inappropriate weapon use, violence, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or involvement in the juvenile justice system, though
they will consider special circumstances on a case-by-case basis. They are seeking children who want to be there, and who want to
change their behavior. According to the Child Care Supervisor Ralph Vreugdenhil, most kids usually want to stay after they visit the
ranch. It is also necessary for the parents to be willing to cooperate with program. The program contacts all 8 to 10 references and
they review the application with the foster parents to ascertain whether they think they can be of help.
The primary change agents are the foster parents in each of the
five houses. They maintain consistent house rules and monitor the behavior modification-based level system in the household that allows
students to earn points for privileges and allowance. Although the large 6,000 square foot group homes were intended for more occupants,
they have a maximum of five students in each house. If needed, students can work with a master’s level counselor, or if needed, a
professional in the tri cities.
The average length of stay is 17 months. They determine when it
is appropriate to leave based on how well the student has reached the treatment goals that were established by the parents and child
at upon admission. They also assess whether there have been adequate changes in the child’s home, often determined by a visit. If
necessary, a child can stay until they graduate or turn 18.
They attend the public school in No. Franklin County, which enrolls
about 300 kids. Students at the ranch are encouraged to get involved in sports at the school. They also able to take vocational education
classes the school, and acquire other skills necessary to become independent.
The program is operated by the Bailie Foundation, and offers a
reasonable monthly tuition and liberal scholarship program.
Copyright © 2000, Woodbury Reports, Inc. (This article may be reproduced
without prior approval if the copyright notice and proper publication and author attribution accompanies the copy.)
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