Anyone can make a referral to SCH. Referrals and referral questions should be directed to the Clinical Supervisor, Chris Daem, at (406) 294-5094 or at cdaem@sch-mt.org. If you believe you have a family that might qualify for any level of housing as provided by SCH, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

At this time, the program is unable to accept couples. Although there is sober and shared care housing available for men, supportive and supervised “main” house living is only available to women currently. This is partially based on limited housing availability and identified need, however, is also based on an inability to obtain adequate insurance to house couples. In the event that a resident is in a relationship and chooses to reside in the home without their significant other, SCH does offer family programming and couples’ counseling to assist in creating a healthier overall family unit.

Cases in which parents are “terminated” from the program and asked to leave the residence are handled on a case-by-case basis. All SCH staff/volunteers are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. As a result, if at any time during a parent’s stay in the homes, there is suspicion of child abuse or neglect, Child and Family Services will be notified. In the event that agency is already involved with a family, determination of placement will be left to the assigned child protection specialist. Termination from SCH does not automatically result in removal of a child.

It is the goal of SCH to look first and foremost at the safety of children in their homes and to work toward permanency for those children. In the case of shared care or supervised “main” house living, children are often returned more quickly as these environments provide 24 hour supervision and safety for the children. In the case of supportive or sober living, this is at the discretion of the SCH team and also any other providers working with the family (Family Tree Center, Child and Family Services, Probation and Parole, etc.). Children will be reunified and/or allowed to remain in parent’s care when it is determined by the professionals working with the family that it is safe for the child to be in the home. Each case is treated individually and residents are not provided a “generic” timeline for reunification of children.

Many new residents of SCH have some kind of past or present criminal case. If the parent has been convicted of a violent felony (such things as rape, homicide, felony assault or felony PFMA), he/she would not be accepted into SCH. All other criminal cases have to be looked at individually to see if the criminal case will make it impossible for the potential resident to participate in programming or to access treatment.