Who We Are
As the state’s oldest nonprofit human services organization, founded in 1893, just four years after South Dakota became a state, we have evolved to meet the changing needs of the people we serve.
•Our mission is to prevent, treat and heal trauma.
• Our vision is a world that stands up to trauma where all people are safe, healthy and resilient.
What We Do
OUR SIX PROGRAMS
Residential Treatment and Day School
Black Hills Children’s Home and Sioux Falls Children’s Home are psychiatric residential treatment facilities and special education schools for children, ages 4-14. We partner with parents and caregivers to serve children with emotional, behavioral or mental health needs who may have experienced domestic violence, neglect, and emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety Through
this program, we provide free services for women, children and men who are victims of domestic violence, stalking, elder abuse, sexual assault and child abuse or neglect.
Community Based Services
Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) serves children of all ages who have moderate emotional and behavioral needs, usually from abuse or neglect. TFC offers a healing family experience to prepare children for reunification or adoption.
Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK) works to find adoptive families for children of all ages who are considered hard to place. WWK believes that no child is unadoptable. Post Adoption Services include therapy, family support, training and referrals.
Family Engagement Services offers intensive case management and evidence-based interventions and support to children, youth, and families at imminent risk of system involvement.
Bright Start
A nurse home visitation program, Bright Start provides care for at-risk families during pregnancy and after delivery. Nursing services include prenatal and maternal; infant/child health; development assessments and education; and parenting, health, safety and nutrition education. Services may continue until the child’s second birthday. Bright Start also helps link families with community resources, such as prenatal, postpartum and pediatric medical care, family planning services and mental health services.
Children’s Home Child Advocacy Center
Located in Rapid City, Children’s Home Child Advocacy Center (CAC) serves children who are alleged victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse or who have witnessed violence. Like more than 900 other CACs nationwide, CAC provides forensic interview support to families and coordinates specialized medical examinations. These services eliminate the need for repeated interviews and examinations by multiple investigating parties. Referrals come primarily through law enforcement and Child Protection Services.
Prevention, Training and Education
The goal of CHS Prevention, Training and Education is to prevent child abuse and domestic violence in South Dakota. Statewide education, trainings and events focus on teaching the public and professionals how to recognize and respond to child abuse, properly handle child abuse disclosures, understand Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and implement trauma-informed care
Details
| (605) 343-2811 | |
| abby.sharp@chssd.org | |
| Abby Sharp | |
| Event and Volunteer Specialist | |
| http://www.chssd.org |
