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Placing a Child at Watson Children's Shelter To make a referral, contact Watson Children's Shelter at (406) 549-0058 Program Definition Watson Children's Shelter (WCS) has two homes in Missoula, on Buckhouse Lane and Fort Missoula Road, accepting placements from anywhere in the state of Montana. Both homes welcome boys and girls, infant to age 14, in need of emergency care. The Fort Missoula home is dually-licensed, providing shelter and longer term group care, ages 5 to 14. Shelter care placements range from a few hours to an average of 45 days, while group care is a minimum placement of 30 days or more. Group care maintains safety and addresses crisis, while also addressing longer term goals and behavioral stabilization. Both homes are beautifully designed and provide a safe, welcoming, homelike atmosphere. Watson Children's Shelter accepts referrals from child protection workers, parents or guardians, mental health centers, and youth court. Criteria for Admission Children who are appropriate for shelter care are defined as: 1. Boys and girls infant to age 14 2. Under the jurisdiction of the Child Protective Services, the Youth Court System, or the parents' custody 3. Abused or neglected 4. Moderately or severely emotionally disturbed For those who need to stay longer than 30 days, Youth Group Home care may be appropriate with the following criteria: 1. Boys and girls ages 5 to 14 2. A transitional plan that will positively move the child toward a successful placement out of the group home 3. A need for the structure of this program to stabilize before moving to a permanent placement Application To refer a child in crisis, a phone referral to the program staff that includes necessary information regarding the child and plans to address the crisis. Intake forms will be provided to the placing agent to complete. If the child needs an extended stay (beyond 30 days) in group home care, the placing worker must submit a more complete application in compliance with Montana DPHHS rules. Once the application is complete, a decision will be made within a few days. WCS Group Home Application: (download form here) Contacts: (406) 549-0058 | watson@shelter4children.com Deboruah Baylor | WCS Program Director Natalie Stern | WCS Group Home Manager Leigh McCombs | Buckhouse Lane Case Manager Jake Lapke | Fort Missoula Case Manager Locations Watson Children's Shelter Buckhouse Shelter (administrative offices and mailing address) 4978 Buckhouse Lane | Missoula, MT 59804 Fort Missoula Shelter 2901 Fort Missoula Road | Missoula, MT 59804

United Way of Missoula County
Watson Children's Shelter is a United Way Funded Program.