During the time that a youth spends at Ranch Ehrlo Society, they and the staff work diligently toward the ultimate goal of reunification. The hope is to reunify the youth with their family or healthy support person in their home community; however this is not always possible.

Some youth are discharged from our programs at an age where independent living and/or relocation is in the best interest of the youth. In these cases, Ranch Ehrlo works carefully with the individual to equip them with the tools and skills necessary to become independent, successful, and contributing members of their community. We want to ensure they are setup to succeed.

The idea of the “end state” has been coined unofficially to recognize the importance of preparing a youth for the “real world” so when they do reach the end of care with Ranch Ehrlo Society they are ready to take on new roles, responsibilities, and healthy lifestyles.

The “end state” has been a particular focus of Matheson House and Peterson House which both work to support older youth (usually between the ages of 16 and 21). The staff in these units help clients prepare for adulthood outside of residential care by building resumes, practicing interview skills, taking driving lessons, and securing important documents such as social insurance numbers, drivers’ licenses and more.

Tyler*, a 16-year-old youth living at Matheson House, was able to achieve great success with the support and encouragement of his staff. While Tyler was set to discharge himself in February of this year, the staff encouraged him to stay to gain more skills and to learn how to grow his successes. Tyler was convinced and has remained living at Ranch Ehrlo where he has grown and developed to become a proud and ambitious young man, said Kevin Mugford, director of residential services.

Tyler has stabilized and transitioned from an intake home to a more independent living arrangement; has transitioned from a Ranch school to a mainstream school, and has even started working full-time at a local retailer.

“He is 16 years old and he does have turbulence ahead as a 17, 18, 19 years old, but we have provided him with many skills that he can fall back on,” said Kevin. “He is expressing his gratitude to the staff who have stuck with him and even describes the Ranch as his ‘true family’.”

*name has been changed to protect the identity of the youth