Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch - Western Plains

Supporting Teens and Adolescents on the Path to Healing

Programming is designed for teens and adolescents facing emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-harm. Many families come to the Ranch when outpatient care is no longer enough, seeking a safe and structured environment where their child can heal and rebuild confidence. The Ranch’s residential program provides 24-hour care in a compassionate setting, offering individual, group, and family therapy designed to meet each child’s unique needs.

Healing with Christian Values

As a faith-based nonprofit organization, the program integrates spiritual care into everyday routines for those who wish to participate. Youth can attend chapel, Bible study, or spiritual life groups that focus on compassion, forgiveness, and purpose. At the same time, the Ranch welcomes children from all backgrounds by offering a values-based track that teaches the same principles of respect and kindness in a nonreligious context.

Education, Life Skills, and Hands-On Recovery

Each child at the Ranch continues their education through Dakota Memorial School, an on-campus, fully accredited school designed for students with behavioral or emotional needs. The academic program provides individualized instruction, special education support, and credit recovery opportunities. Alongside their coursework, students participate in life-skills training and vocational programs such as greenhouse cultivation and equine therapy. These experiences build confidence, structure, and responsibility, helping students transition smoothly back to school or community life.

Preparing for Life After the Ranch

A team of therapists, nurses, and counselors work together to address the psychological, physical, and social aspects of each child’s well-being. Families play an active role in this process through regular therapy sessions, coaching, and progress updates. Before discharge, staff collaborate with caregivers to develop a personalized transition plan that includes community referrals, outpatient services, and aftercare support. This continuity of care helps each child maintain stability and continue practicing the tools they’ve learned once they return home.