When youth first come to Ranch Ehrlo they go through an intake process which helps to stabilize, and assess the youth. The majority of the residents coming to the Ranch Ehrlo Society begin here at Pilot Butte. I work in one of the intake homes, Rever House. Here is how it differs from the group homes in the cities.

At an in-take home, every 15 min is scheduled. It’s a smooth routine. It’s getting these kids from doing nothing all day and never going to school to living in an environment with rules and regulations.

In-town houses try to incorporate the youth back into the community and to do activities independently. We give the youth leeway to listen to music on their bed, let kids make their own plans after school, have outside friends, join outside activities, or maybe even get a job.

Those are the perks. We hold them up to our kids in the in-take houses like, ‘ohh the holy in-town houses, you want to get there, they have so much fun. Maybe if you are mature enough you can go to Peterson House and have your own cell phone.’

Some of our youth thrive on routine and structure and need an in-take home, they may never leave the campus until they go back home.