Discovery House is located south of the county courthouse in Anaconda, Montana. Before it began to operate as a short-term shelter care facility for youth in need of care and supervision, the house served many purposes including a "pest home" (where the county placed individuals with at-the-time untreatable diseases such as tuberculosis), a welfare office, and a rest home.

In July 1974, Discovery House began its operation under the direction of Sister Gilmary Vaughan, a Sinsinawa Dominican nun.  It was developed as a result of the state deinstitutionalization program and the need for a facility in Southwestern Montana where at-risk-youth in crisis could be placed, other than in county jails. 

Discovery House serves youth from Deer Lodge, Granite, Powell, Silver Bow, Beaverhead and Madison counties on a regular basis, and, when space allows, from other areas of the state.  Since its inception, it has served over 6,000 youth. Most of the youth are referred by probation or welfare agencies.  Runaway youth receive services at the house on an emergency basis. 

Discovery House is a member of the National Network for Runaway and Homeless Youth and is licensed by the State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.  It is licensed to accommodate up to nine youth, between the ages of 10 and 18 years old.  These youth live at Discovery House from one day to three months, but the average length of stay is 45 days.  Most youth are emotionally disturbed and suffer from drug and/or alcohol abuse or from neglect.  Some have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused, and come with loss and abandonment issues.

In early 2007, the future of Discovery House was in jeopardy because of continued financial difficulties.  Through a collaborative effort to save it from extinction, CCCS intervened.  In February 2007, the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution allowing CCCS to lease the facility for 3 years.  CCCS began operating Discovery House on April 1, 2007. 

Program Mission

Program Goal

The goal of Discovery House is to provide basic support and other needed services including educational, medical, psychological and counseling services to at-risk-youth from Southwestern Montana.

Program Objectives
 

CCCS staff have established the following objectives to enable Discovery House to best achieve its program goal:

• Provide a safe and secure environment for staff and trouble youth.

• Provide interventions and services intended to reduce the likelihood of future criminal behaviors, thereby enhancing public safety.

• Work in close cooperation with the referring and placement county agencies.

Administration and Program Staff

A dedicated team of staff distinguished by both education and experience provide services at Discovery House.  A carefully-selected, diverse, and professional staff was already in place to ensure that the youths receive the most effective milieu of programming and treatment services. 

View a brief staff biography.

Contact Information

Ms. Carole Kovacich, Program Director
800 S. Main Street (physical address)
709 E. Third Street (mailing address)
Anaconda, MT  59711
Phone: 406.563.3842    Fax: 406.563.2451

or

Jack McCormick, Program Administrator
471 E. Mercury Street
Butte, Montana  59701
Phone: 406.782.0417  Fax: 406.782.6964