Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch – Residential Treatment Program (Minot)

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch operates faith‑based residential treatment programs across three North Dakota campuses, offering safe and nurturing care for children and adolescents ages 10–17 who are coping with severe mental health challenges, trauma and behavioral issues. The Ranch describes its mission as helping at‑risk children and their families succeed; each campus provides a stable home where youth can heal in a structured environment while maintaining connections with supportive adults. The program blends psychological, psychiatric, relational and behavioral services through a multidisciplinary team that creates individualized plans for every child ^[1].

Youth at the Ranch receive individual, group and family therapy, psychiatric services, education and life‑skills training within a structured daily schedule. The treatment model addresses the psychological and spiritual needs of each young person, offering trauma‑informed care, positive behavioral support and evidence‑based interventions. A fully accredited on‑site school provides individualized instruction, small class sizes and trauma‑sensitive learning so that students can continue their education while in treatment ^[1]. Professional staff work closely with families to prepare for discharge, ensuring that caregivers are involved in treatment and that youth have a plan for continued support once they return home.

Across its Minot, Bismarck and Fargo campuses, the Ranch cultivates hope and resilience through faith‑focused values, therapeutic recreation and community service. Children participate in equine‑assisted activities, art and music therapy, life‑skills lessons and other experiential programs that foster self‑confidence and independence. The organization emphasizes that regardless of location, every child receives compassionate care tailored to their unique needs, helping them heal from trauma and build a foundation for a healthy future ^[2].

Sources

1. dakotaranch.org/residential-treatment
2. dakotaranch.org/residential-treatment/residential-treatment-locations