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A SIMPLE LIFE The ranch is a 30,000 acre working cattle ranch 40 miles from the nearest town. The Chandlers are Cattle ranchers with a heart for God, and turning kid’s lives around. The environment is similar to what a ranch would be like 100 years ago. It is a simple life, where kids get back to nature by camping, cooking, physical fitness, working cattle, riding horses, caring for animals, doing school work, reading, singing and being in a loving environment.
For over 15 years Tierra Blanca Ranch (TBR) has been working with kids that are: 1. Unmanageable & uncontrollable by their families or society 2. Spiraling out of control. 3. Not responding well with traditional counseling 4. Defiant and noncompliant 5. Stealing and Lying 6. Physically threatening 7. ADD, RAD, ADHD and other morbidities 8. Unwanted or at-risk, 9. Emotionally, mentally or physically damaged by their environment 10. Sexually abused 11. Addicted to drugs, sex, pornography, 12. Suicidal 13. Hurting themselves or others
There are instances when parents, counselors and therapists see a child needs to be removed from their current environment to help break the stalemate, the downward spiral, the irrational cycle in which the child is stuck before its too late Call today for more information: 575-544-1340

Unmanageable Kids are taught: • Responsibility, • Self discipline, • Leadership skills, • Intellectual development, • Consequences, • The necessity of having self respect and respect for others. • Sound biblical principles. Call today for more information: 575-544-1340

Team Approach The TBR staff works with families, therapists, counselors school districts, county and state governments, judges and mental health professionals as a team. TBR is a safe healing remote environment that brings healing and wholeness to troubled kids and their families. TBR has provided placement for youths failing in standard Residential Treatment Centers (RTC) environments. These entities experience positive results with the Kids in TBR’s care. Often kids arrive at TBR ready to hurt themselves, their parents or anyone that gets in their way. They often have uncontrollable anger and have been into things that are destroying and causing despair and hopelessness within the family. TBR has helped OVER 300 kids & their families heal and change. Call today for more information: 575-544-1340

Approach for healing • Relationships are fostered. • Love and respect are taught and demonstrated, • Discipline is administered. • Consequences are given. • TV and the internet are restricted. • Work, responsibility and respect are expected. • The past of these kids is forgiven. • Kids receive a fresh start. • The Bible and it’s teachings is integrated. • Their hearts are healed Kids are given a second chance to learn to act responsibly, re-gain trust and build relationships. The healing, restoration and turn around of most of the attendees is amazing. Kids that are defiant, angry, uncooperative, self-destructing and emotionally checked-out learn how to love themselves again and come to love others. In the “system”, often kids medicated to the point of compliance, to the point of being a “zombie”, are now smiling, loving, cooperative Kids. Call today for more information: 575-544-1340

Supervised & Consistent Environment The environment includes close supervision and consistency at the Ranch. The kids learn to care for animals such as cattle, horses, dogs, cats and even a llama. Over time the kids are able to develop strong loving and nurturing bonds. They gain confidence and self-esteem learning to ride horses, herd cattle and begin to feel self-esteem again. Call today for more information: 575-544-1340

Feeling Overwhelmed - Hopeless? Parenting a troubled teenager can be overwhelming for you and your family. You may feel hopeless, desperate, angry, and overwhelmed and confused with your child’s choices. Your home may seem filled with chaos and tension. You know that something has to change.

The Program is a multi-faceted effort that also typically incorporates, among other things, wilderness discovery, horsemanship, work projects, physical conditioning and other athletic activities, outdoor skills development, life skills development, and occasional community service. Throughout each youth's enrollment, we establish boundaries, foster communication, and seek to mentor the youths. Professional psychology services, if desired, are available. We believe the structure, challenging experiences, work, and other learning strike an excellent balance.

This endeavor has been a resource for parents, psychologists, and therapists from across the Nation. Our services have also been utilized by the State of New Mexico, various local governments, and, as mentioned, school districts. During the summer of 2000, we completed a preventative effort in which 104 pre- and early teens deemed to at-risk took part in sessions here at the ranch. The project, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, brought us into partnership with a major university and New Mexico's second largest county. Our portion of the venture has already been deemed to be very successful.

The Program's directors are Clinton and Scott Chandler. Clinton is a former United State Senate legislative staffer and an honors graduate, with a triple major, of the University of New Mexico. He was an intercollegiate football player, and has studied abroad. Scott studied administration of justice at the University of Texas at El Paso, where he was a defensive end on the Miner football team. He, too, was an honors student in college.

The Program staff is comprised of very capable individuals from such disparate backgrounds as education, psychology, business, government, and agriculture. The diverse assemblage is well-suited to this type of effort.

We are in partnership with two New Mexico public school districts, both of which send certified teachers to the ranch during the academic year. The Program staff has an important role in the process. We establish high, yet reasonable, performance expectations, and monitor each student's work. The youths are taught good study skills, and are provided ample instruction and time to accomplish the goals that are set for them. The staff can also provide intensive tutoring for the children, if necessary. It is our experience that this concentrated type of effort, in conjunction with the other elements of the Program, is conducive to academic excellence.

Indeed, the arrangements with these districts have been effective. Each of the Program youths educated by one of the districts during the past academic year consistently posted grades of 3.0 or above, while a majority of the youths educated by the other turned in honor roll performances during their enrollment. One boy carried a 4.0 GPA throughout both terms, while several others were almost as accomplished.

A substantial number of the youths improved three to four letter grades from their respective levels of performance prior to their arrival at the ranch. Probably as a result, the Program was a featured presentation at a spring 2000 New Mexico School Board Association meeting. One of our partner districts usually educates the majority of the youths in the Program, as the other typically focuses on youths from its community. The latter district has received Federal grant monies to make its own placements into the Program. Certain program youths enrolled in the former have been able to participate in varsity athletics, although the youths that might be candidates for such participation must meet Program, district, and New Mexico Activities Association eligibility standards.

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