In Fall 2023, Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) announced a new program launching at the MCH Boys Ranch in early 2024. This residential care program is tailored to meet the unique emotional and behavioral challenges of youth with higher-level, specialized needs. MCH is able to support Boys Ranch residents and their families while in care, and assist in facilitating their long-term success.
The new program is now operational, and in February, the Boys Ranch welcomed its first residents. Since that time, MCH has continuously maintained full capacity. Two additional homes on the 500-acre ranch are under construction and will open in 2025 and increase capacity.
The number of youth in our communities who have experienced trauma and have elevated needs continues to grow, yet there is lack of caregivers equipped and licensed to provide care. Many youth lack placement options, and with the new program at the Boys Ranch, MCH expanded services beyond the traditional Basic Care model to help fill this gap in available care.
Traci Wagner, vice president for programs shared that this new program is the answer to prayer and the fulfillment of what the executive leadership team and MCH board of directors had dreamed about for many years.
“Each young man that is at the ranch is unique and this new program is exactly what they need,” Wagner said. “These are the young men we prayed for and it is such an honor to now get to care for them.”
The Boys Ranch is operated by direct care staff with support from a case manager, residential supervisor, program administrator, administrative support, as well as behavior health and medical teams. All staff involved in the care of a resident meet together weekly, to touch base to ensure all needs are being met in the best way and at the highest level.
“The staff make all the difference in the way we deliver care and services,” Wagner said. “The medical staff, the mental health supports and direct care staff, cooks and case managers, and a trauma-informed approach are already making impacts. I am particularly proud of the way we work together as a multi-disciplinary team to make sure complex needs are met for those we serve and their families.”
Residents attend school on-site at the Fern Cone School, in partnership with the University of Texas Charter School System, with dedicated teachers for this campus. Each child arrives with unique academic needs, which are evaluated at the time of placement.
Trey Oakley, MCH president and CEO, said the partnership with the University of Texas Charter School System is a critical and significant one.
“This is a population the UT System works most with and they are skilled at ensuring a child’s academic plan is individualized and tailored to what they need,” Oakley said. “To be able to lean on the expertise and experience of the UT Charter School System was a huge confidence builder for us to take this step and launch this program.”
Spiritual formation and sharing the good news of the hope we find in Jesus is at the heart of this and every program offered through MCH. The spiritual development team has expanded in order to include Boys Ranch residents in weekly devotionals, which staff lead in small groups at the Boys Ranch and in their homes. Providing a nurturing community, and meeting each child where they are, is a tangible way to share the love of God.
Tony Stewart, program administrator for the MCH Boys Ranch said the strategic, visionary and Christ-centered leadership of MCH has been an encouragement in these early days of this program.
“We are faith-focused, and faithfulness produces fruit. This program is successful not because of what I am doing. It is because we have a network of people going in the same direction, committed to the success of each young man here. We are on the same team, and that’s the key,” Stewart said.
Staff frequently look for opportunities to empower residents and let their voices be heard. Sometimes this is through input on the week’s meals, feedback on the daily schedule and selection of activities, and through the ranch store, where residents can ‘purchase’ fun items through earned points. This has contributed to authentic community and connection, for staff and residents alike.
With a structured daily schedule, and the space for staff to be creative, young men are making gains and flourishing.
“We have the resources and the people to do this tough work and to do it at a level that is uniquely Methodist Children’s Home,” said Oakley. “With the high level and intense programs and services we are providing and that are required for this population, it would be easy to do the minimum of what’s required of us – but that is not what we are doing. Our staff is going above and beyond every single day, and that makes me very proud.”
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