Cd'A eyes Youth Ranch for grant funds

Coeur d’Alene community planning director Hilary Anderson and community development specialist Chelsea Nesbit will make their case to City Council during tonight's meeting at the public library. Their presentation is expected to include a request for $44,000 to go toward a full-time therapist and a case manager.

That request comes after the United Way of North Idaho — citing the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic — was not going forward with its Kindergarten Boot Camp, the original target recipient of the funds. That declination leaves $63,392.99 of Community Development Block Grants to spend.

The Idaho Youth Ranch, along with Children’s Village, had previously submitted applications for the funds but were originally beat out by the United Way’s local chapter.

Last year, the clinical team at the Idaho Youth Ranch Anchor House served 146 youth and families in North Idaho and hopes to increase that number this year.

Coeur d’Alene council member Dan English, who essentially founded the Idaho Youth Ranch in 1983 and served as its first executive director, said the center was necessary to the mental health of at-risk youth before the coronavirus struck. Now, he said, its services are even more crucial.

“Even before COVID, there have been a lot of pressures on kids and families, and a lot of stress on the family structure," English said. "That’s exactly why Youth Ranch, Children’s Village and other services exist."

The CDBG’s volunteer grant review committee met in mid-August to review the applications and unanimously voted for the recommendation. The new therapist, if approved, will be able to assist up to 68 individuals and their families through the Idaho Youth Ranch’s Anchor House, increasing its mental health reach by as much as 37 percent.

“Our approach to treating youth and families is through a trauma-informed care lens which is especially relevant now during the COVID pandemic,” said Idaho Youth House program manager Amanda Smith.

Last Saturday, The Press cover story on Coeur Voice featured Idaho Youth Ranch's equine program.

Idaho Youth Ranch’s Anchor House provides services to children that range from follow-up services for kids with mental health issues to referrals for substance abuse centers to trauma services to family counseling.

Under the proposal, the remaining $19,392.93 would go to Children’s Village, which would be able to provide for 10 additional resident hours of clinical services per week.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6.