Toby’s House Crisis Nursery, a nonprofit in Great Falls, dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, has secured land for a new facility after an extensive search spanning months. This milestone, announced in mid-September, marks a significant step forward for the organization, which provides crisis, respite, and transitional care for children ages 0-6 at no cost and without income requirements.
Named in memory of October “Toby” Perez, a 2-year-old who tragically died from abuse in 2011, the nursery offers short-term refuge (up to 72 hours) for children in high-stress family situations, such as parental substance use, mental health challenges, or temporary instability. It helps prevent child welfare interventions by giving parents a safe drop-off option while connecting families to support services. Since opening in late 2020, demand has grown alongside rising abuse reports in Cascade County — from 217 cases in 2012 to 551 in 2017, with trends continuing amid Montana’s opioid and meth crises.
A generous donor purchased the new site, enabling the expansion without immediate financial strain on the nonprofit. The location provides room for a larger building, initially planned to increase capacity from the current setup (which supports up to 8 children) to potentially 16–24 beds in the future. This addresses space constraints that have limited services despite increasing community needs.
As Montana’s first crisis nursery, Toby’s House is now serving as a statewide model. In partnership with the state’s Birth to Five program and a federal Preschool Development Grant (PDG B-5), it’s guiding the establishment of similar facilities in other communities. Executive Director Leesha Ford emphasized the goal of building a connected network: “Children matter… Places like Toby’s House are designed to be a welcoming space during difficult times, backed by a generous community that cares about kids.”
In November 2024, Mysten Price was appointed as the new director, bringing expertise in social work and family outreach. Under her leadership, the organization is enhancing community partnerships and wraparound services, such as follow-up support to help families achieve long-term stability.
How You Can Support
The nursery relies on community contributions. Visit tobyshousemt.org to donate or learn more.
Qualified volunteers are needed for childcare and administrative roles. Contact them at 406-770-3191 or admin@tobyshousemt.org.
Sharing stories like Toby’s can help reduce stigma around seeking help — early intervention saves lives.
This expansion couldn’t come at a better time, as Montana continues to grapple with family stressors. For the latest updates, check their Facebook page.
