Isn’t it wonderful to work someplace that encourages and welcomes questions? The answer to that question is YES! So let’s get started.

First things first! Who won the All Hands on Deck door prizes?
There were winners from each of the three sessions.

Who has the most unique middle name? (Michelle selected winner from all submissions)

• Lexi Asha Perry
• Mike Gerrit Groher
• Sam Lewis Singer

Who has had the most exotic pet? (Tami selected winner from all submissions)

• Chelsie Ogaard: ostriches
• Jamie Vanvoorst: axolotl 
• Kelsey Weber: African dwarf frogs

What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? (Muriel selected winner from all submissions)

• Tina Graber: fish eyes and snails
• Aaron Vaul: armadillo (tied)
• Alma Pedraza: armadillo  (tied)
• Lisa Compton: yak

Name drawn from those who registered on the Employee Portal during All Hands meetings

• Kathy Mead

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Can you briefly explain the roles of the two new leadership positions?

• Mark Niemeyer will be our new Chief People Officer. As head of our Human Resources Department, Mark will focus on employee recruitment, retention, and engagement.
• Karl Jegeris will be our new Director of Collaborative Excellence, a new position that has been created to provide leadership and guidance in the areas of strategy, program development, organizational efficiency, and enhanced client outcomes. He will begin June 29th.

Coming in July Good Works: A “Get to Know You” interview with both Mark and Karl.

Do you foresee any permanent changes coming to any programs due to the changes forced on us by COVID 19 that we will carry on?

Masking may continue for awhile. We continue to re-evaluate our mitigation strategies following CDC guidelines.

How will we continue to monitor COVID active cases—Statewide vs Sioux Falls Area vs Black Hills—particularly with rising numbers/active cases in Pennington County?

We make our decisions based on statewide numbers.

When do you think construction will begin on the new Children’s Inn?

As many of you know, funds for the building project have been provided by a gift from T. Denny Sanford. The additional operational expenses incurred by a much larger facility are projected to be at least $1 million per year. Before we go to bid on the expansion project we need to raise endowment funds to provide for the long-term sustainability of the larger facility.  At this point we do not know when we will go to bid on the expansion project. We are looking ahead to planning an endowment campaign, but due to the COVID 19 situation, these plans are being delayed and are uncertain at this point. After breaking ground, it is estimated the new facility and grounds will take about 2-1/2 years to build and develop.

What is the endowment goal amount for the new Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety operating costs?

Here’s the math. To have $1 million available each year for operational costs, it would take an endowment of $20 million. An annual 5% distribution from $20 million is $1 million.

I have appreciated the opportunity to do the annual training online (e.g. HIPAA, safety, etc).  I am wondering if next year, we could still have the online option but start it earlier (like in March) and spread it out over three months.

From Michelle: That's a great thought! Thanks!

Will those positions left in the community based program be affected due to the loss of the PRIDE contract? Will CHS continue to have a community based program?

After 22 years, CHS was disappointed to lose the PRIDE contract with the State of South Dakota. Lutheran Social Services (LSS) was awarded the PRIDE contract for the next three years. LSS was willing to interview any CHS PRIDE staff that would be interested in those positions, as they recognize the benefits in providing continuity for this program.

CHS leadership and Community Based staff are re-evaluating what our Community Based Services program might look like going forward. We will continue with post-adoption work, the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids adoption program, and our Therapeutic Foster Care program. The coming Family First federal legislation may impact what we could offer with an emphasis on the trend toward home-based programs. We will know more in the next 12-18 months as this unfolds.

I was hired back in November and when I was hired I was never told how the raises worked. If there are new people here as well, they may also not know.

Raises are given after each year of employment. 

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