Healing through healthy relationships

By CANDACE CHASE

The Daily Inter Lake

Helena-based agency for distressed children considers adding facility in Flathead Valley

Jim FitzGerald doesn't mince words.

"We have a culture that is unraveling," he said.

Speaking recently in Kalispell, FitzGerald said children pay the price of a permissive society, including experimentation with such drugs as methamphetamines.

"The system is overwhelmed with children in protective foster care," he said.

FitzGerald serves as executive director of Intermountain, a Helena-based agency that rehabilitates youngsters whose lives are disfigured from living in -fractured families. The organization has acquired 75 acres in the Flathead Valley for a facility that is in its formative stage.

"We know there are needs here in the Flathead," he said.

FitzGerald said the organization has begun collaborating with others that serve the welfare of children to identify gaps that need filling. He said he wants "to raise friends" here with a heart to help these youngsters.

Rather than mental illnesses, their young clients suffer from emotional disturbances caused by neglect and abuse. FitzGerald said they learn to survive by rejecting adult nurturing and control.

These behaviors frustrate efforts to place them with foster or adoptive parents.

"They are very powerful at engineering their own rejection," he said.

Intermountain offers help through five programs: residential, intensive day treatment, child and adolescent psychiatric clinics, adoption and family support and therapeutic group and foster care through Partnership for Children.

FitzGerald said staff has employed a relationship-based treatment model, now considered novel, in all five programs for 25 years.

"What works for children is stability, consistency, correction and nurturing," he said. "All of these things ? that have gone out of style ? are the cornerstone of healthy children."

In the residential program, master's level clinicians work in each cottage with as many as 32 children ages 4-12. Staff members focus on healing through healthy relationships, with less emphasis on medications than many other programs.

"We do use medications because they have gotten so good when skillfully applied," FitzGerald said. "This is a very sophisticated psychiatric program."

Intermountain's residential program drew national attention with features on National Public Radio and on ABC News "Primetime." Long-term successes with disturbed children, such as 12-year-old Amber Marie, attracted media attention.

A Bozeman native, Amber Marie was neglected by parents involved in drugs and alcohol. Her dad spent most of his time in prison. Eventually, their parental rights were terminated.

She described her treatment at Intermountain in a video FitzGerald showed during a presentation to the Flathead County Republican Women.

"Every night I would do rocking with my practice mom," she said. "It helped me trust adults."

Amber Marie said she would play and roughhouse with her practice dad, Dan. She got the real thing at 11, when she was adopted.

"Every time Dad and I go past the courthouse, he says that's where I was born," she said with a smile. "I want to thank Mom and Dad for choosing me."

These children live in the cottages without locked doors or bars on the windows. FitzGerald said the relationships with staff keep them from leaving.

He said Intermountain's goal is not to take children away from their families but to use intervention and prevention to stop the abuse and neglect in a child's life. FitzGerald said Intermountain wants to join with like-minded entities to affect the child welfare system.

"There are only so many beds we can provide," he said.

Intermountain defines its vision in the Flathead and elsewhere as securing emotional health and a loving, permanent family for every child like Amber Marie.

Founded in 1909 as the Montana Deaconess Preparatory School, the organization changed its name and adapted its programs several times during nearly 100 years. One founder, the Rev. William Wesley Van Orsdel ? known as Brother Van ? left a legendary quote that inspires Intermountain's work.

"Under God, brethren, we cannot continue to allow the suffering of children to go unchallenged."

FitzGerald said Intermountain wants to raise awareness by lifting up the needs of emotionally distressed children. He said the judicial system ? as well as politicians ? needs help understanding these youngsters.

He decried the lack of effective advocacy for children in Helena, the seat of state government.

"Dogs and cats have more advocates than Montana children who are wards of the state," he said.

The agency supports 70 percent of its wo--rk with fee-for-service dollars from state, county and insurance companies. Private charitable funding makes up the remaining 30 percent.

FitzGerald said Intermountain raises $1.5 million annually in private funds. It allows the agency to go the extra mile to succeed with neglected and abused children and their families.

"We're not providers of services," he said. "We're providers of outcomes."

Those interested in seeing a presentation about Intermountain's programs and plans for the Flathead may call FitzGerald in Helena at 406-442-7920. Locally, Don and Janet Loranger of Bigfork serve on Intermountain's President's Council of the board of directors.

FitzGerald and the Lorangers invite people interested in helping children to participate in a black-tie signature event scheduled Dec. 15 at the Hilton Hotel in Kalispell. For more information, call the Lorangers at 837-3771.

"It's an attempt to raise friends and get to know people," FitzGerald said.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com