17 million children in the United States suffer from mental, emotional, and behavioral health disorders. With only 8,500 Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists trained to help them, that is 2,000 children per psychiatrist.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), only about 20% of children with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health disorder receive care from a specialized mental health care provider. Fifty percent of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14. Over one-third of lifetime mental illness is the result of childhood trauma. Up to 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system suffer from mental health disorders. (All data from AACAP.)
Yet the average ratio of child psychiatrists to children in need of services is 1 to 2,000. Because of the uneven distribution of skilled mental health professionals, in some areas of the country, that ratio is 1 to 100,000. The children in these “provider deserts” have little hope of healing.
I firmly believe that Christ is at the center of all healing that happens at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. I am also a firm believer that good science is one of God’s gifts to us. At the Ranch, Faith and Science work hand in hand to meet the needs of the hurting children.
I am so grateful for the professional mental health providers who choose to work with these remarkable kids. Against the workforce odds, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch employs a full inter-disciplinary provider team of psychiatry, psychologists, advanced practice nurses, mental health therapists and counselors, occupational therapists, and nurses. All are trained to work with this special group of children—children with so much potential, children who deserve the best care society can provide.
Thank you for helping us create an environment where really good healers can work together. Please keep our staff and kids in your prayers.
In His love,
Joy Ryan, President/CEO
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
Your Thrivent Choice Dollars® can be used to support multiple organizations each year. At the Ranch, we use all Thrivent Choice® funds for our Spiritual Life Program. Your support is vital in giving our precious children the foundation of faith they need to thrive. To direct your Choice Dollars® to the Ranch, simply go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice, login, and choose Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. To direct Choice Dollars® over the phone, call 1-800-847-4863 and say "Thrivent Choice," after the prompt. The deadline is MARCH 31st, so direct your Choice Dollars® today! Thank you for your continued support of our ministry!
LEARN MORE ABOUT DAKOTA BOYS AND GIRLS RANCH
Finding Hope: From Brokenness to Restoration
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