What Does South Dakota Owe Children?
Posted on January 26, 2023
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Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety (9)
Children's Home Child Advocacy Center (4)
Bright Start (2)
Prevention and Education (4)
Foster Care and Adoption (13)
Residential Treatment and Education (9)
Training (2)
eNewsletters (11)
Agency News (19)
Fundraising (5)
Current News (15)
Board of Directors (1)
The House that Rainbow Brite Built
Posted on November 17, 2022
"We're just pretty normal, plain people," says Lisa Bowen.
Continue readingChildren’s Home Society and Foundation Welcome New Board Members
Posted on October 28, 2022
At their annual meeting on October 13, 2022, the boards of both Children’s Home Society of South Dakota (CHS) and the Children’s Home Foundation (CHF) welcomed new members.
Continue readingHistorical Marker Recognizes Orphanage Site
Posted on October 19, 2022
Continue readingChildren’s Home Shelter for Family Safety Ribbon Cutting
Posted on October 17, 2022
Continue readingCEO Michelle Lavallee: The Driving Force at CHS
Posted on October 11, 2022
Continue readingHistorical Marker Tells Story
Posted on October 05, 2022
Continue readingHelping People Clear Life’s Hurdles
Posted on August 19, 2022
Continue readingBuilding Trust, Empowering Families
Posted on August 19, 2022
Continue readingBringing Together the Right Child with the Right Family
Posted on August 19, 2022
Continue readingWhen Love Isn’t Enough
Posted on August 19, 2022
Continue readingBreaking the Cycle of Poverty: The Bright Start Nurse-Family Partnership
Posted on August 10, 2022
Continue readingHome is Where the Heart Is
Posted on June 28, 2022
Continue readingWhat About the Kids? Children and Domestic Violence
Posted on June 28, 2022
In South Dakota, one in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
Continue readingJon Mammenga Joins Children's Home Society as Chief Philanthropy Officer
Posted on June 23, 2022
Continue readingTackling Trauma with Teamwork
Posted on June 16, 2022
At the Children’s Home Child Advocacy Center (CAC), every child we see has suffered trauma. Alyssa’s story was no exception.
Continue readingYou Deserve Love
Posted on June 06, 2022
Everyone deserves love, but victims of domestic violence are often taught to believe they do not. Read about Brianna's journey to finding love with the help of Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety.
Continue readingNew Sensory Room Popular With Kids and Therapists
Posted on June 02, 2022
The new sensory room in Van Demark Up on the Sioux Falls Children’s Home campus allows children to explore and benefit from a wide range of sensory items. A grant from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation helped support the development of the room.
Continue readingWin a Car, Help the Kids!
Posted on May 18, 2022
Help support the programs and services provided by Children’s Home Society by purchasing a raffle ticket to win a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek.
Continue readingWHY I SERVE
Posted on April 27, 2022
"Certain organizations in [South Dakota] have a reputation for high quality and excellent, engaged boards—and CHS is among them. Now in my ninth year on the board and currently serving as Board Secretary, I feel very good about my board service."
Continue readingWhat is Residential Care?
Posted on April 14, 2022
Continue readingChildren's Home Society 2022 Program Report
Posted on April 05, 2022
We choose kindness. As the state’s oldest nonprofit human services organization, founded in 1893, just four years after South Dakota became a state, Children’s Home Society (CHS) evolves to meet the changing needs of the people we serve.
Continue readingAn Extraordinary Transformation
Posted on March 10, 2022
Sometimes becoming ordinary is the most extraordinary thing that can happen.
Continue readingWhat Love Looks Like: Therapeutic Foster Care to Adoption
Posted on January 20, 2022
In 2016, the Oppolds got their license to provide Therapeutic Foster Care through Children’s Home Society (CHS), at first getting their feet wet by providing respite care. In 2017 they met the oldest two brothers and provided foster care for a year, as CHS recommended.
Continue readingThe Art of Partnership
Posted on January 03, 2022
After years of the ubiquitous holiday meat-and-cheese trays, popcorn balls and chocolate boxes, Dana Dykhouse, CEO of First Premier Bank, had an idea.
Continue readingShannon Clark Joins Children’s Home Society as CFO/Controller
Posted on January 03, 2022
Children’s Home Society of South Dakota (CHS) announces that Shannon Clark will be Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Controller of the organization beginning February 6, 2022.
Continue readingHow Can I Tell if a Child is Being Abused or Neglected?
Posted on December 03, 2021
Continue readingThe Children's Friend Volume 126 | Fall/Winter 2021
Posted on November 03, 2021
Laura Johnson has come full circle from her journey as a little girl who stayed at CHS to a leadership position as CHS Board President. Read this story and more, along with up-to-date fundraising efforts, and event information.
Continue readingThe Porch Light
Posted on November 02, 2021
Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety's broke ground this spring for building a new facility. Learn how we "Rocked the Inn" and other stories in this issue of The Porch Light.
Continue readingChildren’s Home Society and Foundation Welcome New Board Members
Posted on October 07, 2021
At the annual meeting on September 30, 2021, Children’s Home Society of South Dakota (CHS) and the Children’s Home Foundation (CHF) each welcomed five new board members. The new CHS board members elected were Scott Scofield, Melissa Johnson, Jim Schmidt and Senator Deb Soholt, all of Sioux Falls and Amy Koenig of Rapid City. New CHF board members are Dennis Aanenson of Sioux Falls, Kara Flynn and Bobby Sundby of Rapid City, Molly Peterson of Brandon and Marty Jackley of Pierre.
Continue readingCHS Board Member Sen. Deb Soholt Receives Award for Helping Children and Families
Posted on October 05, 2021
Each year a community partner or advocate working in the field of child maltreatment prevention is recognized. The award recipient goes above and beyond to stop all child abuse and neglect in South Dakota by protecting its greatest asset—children.
Continue readingWe’ll Keep Doing it Until They Make Us Stop
Posted on September 23, 2021
Who in the world would voluntarily raise 24 children—most of whom have behavioral, developmental or medical needs? It’s hard enough to take care of one or two children, let alone two dozen! That's why therapeutic foster parents are straight up superstars.
Continue readingSeven Children in Seven Years
Posted on August 25, 2021
Brave Beginnings Youth Care Providers Gwen Betz tells her story of foster care and adopting seven children with her husband.
Continue readingPreview the upcoming Caring for the Kids TV Special
Posted on July 29, 2021
Tom Roberts, the Event Coordinator with the Children’s Home Foundation, had the opportunity to sit down on Keloland Living this week to give us a preview of our upcoming Caring for the Kids TV Special on Keloland TV. Thank you, Keloland, for your support! Tune in to the special on Tuesday, August 3rd at 6:30pm CT/5:30pm MT.
Continue readingAlumni Check-In: Bobby Peacock
Posted on July 28, 2021
Hear from Sioux Falls Children's Home Society alumni, Bobby Peacock, on the impact of his years at CHS and his journey beyond our campus.
Continue readingChildren’s Home Society’s Anne McGovern Receives National Recognition
Posted on July 27, 2021
Children’s Home Society of South Dakota Adoption Specialist Anne McGovern has been honored by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption as a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter of the Year.
Continue readingCHS Aces DSS Review
Posted on July 23, 2021
Children's Home Society of South Dakota recently passed the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) annual licensing review with flying colors—as usual.
Continue readingChildren's Home Society of South Dakota 2020 Annual Report
Posted on May 01, 2021
Better Together is one of three CHS values and the theme of this year's annual report. Read stories about how our six CHS programs provide a continuum of care for the clients we serve.
Continue readingChildren’s Home Society Appoints New Chief Operating Officer
Posted on December 02, 2020
Children’s Home Society of South Dakota (CHS) has appointed Karl Jegeris as its Chief Operating Officer, effective December 3, 2020.
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CHS Response to COVID-19
Posted on October 15, 2020
Children’s Home Society of South Dakota is committed to helping mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading and to keep all of our children, families, and employees as healthy as possible.
Continue readingCHS welcomes 7 new Board members
Posted on October 02, 2020
Children’s Home Society welcomed seven new members to its statewide Board of Directors during their annual meeting held Thursday, October 1. They are:
Continue readingThank You for Caring for the Kids!
Posted on August 19, 2020
Children’s Home Society of South Dakota (CHS) is pleased to announce that with generous support from businesses and individuals across South Dakota and beyond, CHS’s “Caring For the Kids” campaign has raised over
Continue readingNo Matter What
Posted on May 04, 2020
Since its beginning in 1893, Children’s Home Society (CHS) has had a storied history. There has been much to celebrate over 127 years, but perhaps nothing more important than overcoming many chapters of hardship.
Continue readingA Commanding View
Posted on March 26, 2020
Tomorrow is Friday, March 27, 2020. On this very day, 118 years ago, Children’s Home Society had a red-letter day in its history.
Continue readingPassenger Praise
Posted on January 30, 2020
I made a point to ask each of my passengers who they were. For some reason, I had quite a few grandparents as passengers on many of my shuttle trips.
Continue readingThe Voice
Posted on December 12, 2019
You just never know what is going to touch a child who has suffered trauma—what it is that will break down the wall of sadness, mistrust, and anger...
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Adoption - One Family's Journey
Posted on November 27, 2019
Every family's path to adoption is unique. Read Jim and Lora's story of adoption to learn how dedication, caring, and compassion paired with ample support and education can make such a difference in a child's life.
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Using Power Tools
Posted on November 25, 2019
I knew I had an attitude problem. I talked back to my parents and teachers at school. When I got mad, I went off like a bomb. One day, my Mom told me we were going to get some help. Next thing I knew, we were on our way to Sioux Falls...
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Adoption - An Adoptive Mom's Perspective
Posted on November 15, 2019
Chad and Angela were foster parents of their children for 3 years before finalizing their adoption in May of 2019. This mini Q&A digs into their perspective from their experience.
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What is Wendy's Wonderful Kids?
Posted on November 11, 2019
Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s restaurants, was adopted as a child. That life experience led to his passion of being an adoption advocate. In South Dakota, Children’s Home Society is the WWK partner agency.
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Adoption - A Child's Perspective
Posted on November 07, 2019
14-Year old Lucy participates in a short but powerful Q&A about her experience with adoption and what she would want others to know from an adoptive child's perspective.
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A Coat to Warm a Girl... and Your Heart
Posted on October 29, 2019
There is a special event that happens every October for the kids at Sioux Falls Children's Home. One day is set aside to go to Outdoor Gear, a store specializing in all types of winter apparel, for kids to shop for new winter coats, hats, and mittens.
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Children’s Home Society names Lavallee as CEO
Posted on September 20, 2019
Children’s Home Society (CHS) has appointed Michelle Lavallee as its next chief executive officer. Lavallee follows Bill Colson, who will retire at the year end and served as CHS’s head for the past 10 years.
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Strength Training
Posted on August 23, 2019
This is an email sent to staff by Sue Williams, the Program Director for Sioux Falls Children's Home. It sheds light on a key component of the CHS residential treatment philosophy. In light of yet more senseless shootings in our nation, I want to highlight The Six Core Strengths we are trying to instill in children who have suffered trauma.
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CHS Executive Director Announces Plan to Retire
Posted on May 01, 2019
Following a decade of leading South Dakota’s oldest nonprofit human services organization, Bill Colson, Executive Director of Children’s Home Society (CHS), has announced his plan to retire at the end of 2019.
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T. Denny Sanford Donates $55 million to Children's Home Society
Posted on January 08, 2019
Children’s Home Society, South Dakota’s oldest human services, non-profit organization, announced a $55 million donation from philanthropist T. Denny Sanford. The generous gift will transform CHS’s ability to assist children and adults in need and ensure the organization has adequate resources for decades to come.
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The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
Posted on May 18, 2018
In the United States, over 8 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year. Research suggests that the single strongest predictor of whether a child becomes either a perpetrator or victim of domestic violence later in life is whether or not they grow up in a home where domestic violence is present.
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How You Can Help: a Guide for Family and Friends
Posted on May 16, 2018
If someone you know may be a victim of domestic violence, there are safe ways that you can help.
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Domestic Violence in the Workplace
Posted on May 16, 2018
An employer's first responsibility is to keep the workplace safe for all employees. You can help an employee who may be in a domestic violence situation...
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