Intermountain gets state pact for foster care
Intermountain, a Montana nonprofit specializing in nurturing therapeutic environments for children, is looking for families to provide foster care services to children in the Flathead Valley.
Intermountain was recently notified by the Montana Division of Child and Family Services that it was successful in its proposal to provide full family foster care in Lake and Flathead counties.
“We are planning to recruit, train and supervise foster families who are willing and able to care for children needing a safe haven for various lengths of time,” said Diane Piorek, Family Based Services clinical leader.
“We remain committed to providing safe, well-trained foster families for children who, for whatever reasons, cannot remain in their family home. Our goal is to minimize the disruption for the child and work with the state Child and Family Services staff toward reunion whenever possible.”
Families licensed by Intermountain will receive ongoing support and resources to assure successful placements. Intermountain will conduct a clinical assessment with each child.
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a foster family may contact Intermountain at 406-457-4842.
Offices for Intermountain’s foster care services are at 322 Second Ave. W. in Kalispell. Intermountain’s other services there are the Kalispell Family and Child Therapy Clinic and Family Based Services, including in-home treatment and support for children suffering from severe emotional, relational and mental health problems.
“Five years ago, we made a commitment to provide help for the area’s most vulnerable residents — young children — and our commitment remains just as strong today,” said Jim FitzGerald, Intermountain chief executive officer. “The addition of emergency foster care allows us to provide a broader spectrum of care and to better partner with the state to meet the needs of children.”
Intermountain also operates Providence Home, a therapeutic youth group home in a rented building in Kalispell for children ages 4-12.
Intermountain owns land in Somers and is raising money to build a permanent facility for Providence Home there.
Approximately $1.2 million has been raised in gifts and pledges, leaving $440,000 yet to be raised to meet the $1.64 million goal. An architectural firm was selected in May and the project is on track to break ground this fall.
For the last four years, the agency has produced the Summer Roundup each June to help raise annual operating funds. Last year, more than $250,000 was raised. This year’s Summer Roundup will be June 26 at the Diamond B Ranch near Somers.
For more information, visit www.intermountain.org or contact FitzGerald at 406 439-3050 or Piorek at 406-755-4022.