IRON MOUNTAIN — Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare Systems is establishing therapeutic homes in Dickinson, Iron and Menominee counties as an alternative to institutional placements for youth with severe emotional and behavioral disorders.

In creating these homes, Northpointe hopes to keep children close to their families and provide effective treatment for the child and the home they return to after treatment.

Dickinson County Board heard a presentation Monday from Beth Hellman, Northpointe clinical care manager, and recruiter Bionca Nattiel. Community members in all three counties are needed to provide homes for children primarily ages 7 to 11, the board was told.

“It’s a six- to nine-month commitment and it can be a one-time commitment,” Nattiel said.

Although new to this region, the program, Treatment Foster Care Oregon, was first developed in 1983 following research trials at Oregon Social Learning Center.

Currently, 17 certified TFCO sites are operating throughout the world, and an additional 17 developing sites are receiving implementation services. The main goals are to create opportunities for youth to successfully live in a family setting and to simultaneously help parents or guardians provide effective parenting.

Under the grant-aided program, therapeutic parents are contracted through Northpointe.

Families and therapeutic homes receive support from Northpointe — at any time — and families continue to receive support when the child returns home, Hellman noted. “They continue to be in charge as parents,” she said.

The therapeutic homes receive initial and ongoing training, daily monitoring, weekly group support, and in-the-moment coaching. Youth learn coping skills along with other skills individualized for their particular needs.

Nattiel can be contacted for more information at 906-282-0244 or bnattiel@nbhs.org.