Hello CHS Team Members!

I am excited to update you on our facilities planning process for Sioux Falls Children’s Home and Black Hills Children’s Home.

SFCH

For some time, CHS has been exploring the need for an updated kitchen in the Haugo building. When the kitchen opened, we were only serving half as many children at the Sioux Falls campus. Last fall when we had service work on the walk-in freezer and cooler, the repair representatives said these units were at the end of their useful lives and they would not be able to service them any longer.

Understanding that the equipment could go down at any time, we obtained board approval to remodel the kitchen. Our architectural firm, Koch Hazard (KH), completed drawings and an equipment list. KH also emailed a survey to all staff in which we received helpful feedback about the kitchen and dining room.

We had hoped to get the kitchen started this spring, but the lead time needed would have put the completion of the kitchen towards the end of December or beginning of January. Because the holidays are an important time for the kids to be able to use the Haugo building, we have decided to wait until spring 2023 to remodel the kitchen, with an anticipated completion date of September 2023. This also allows us extra time to plan for continuing to provide children with meals during remodeling.

Our intention, subject to board approval, is to expand/remodel the Haugo dining room at the same time. If we wait until later to address the dining room, it will be inaccessible for another six-month period, causing even more disruption. Survey responses showed that the dining room was too noisy and crowded; we hope that by adding space, more tables and a recovery room, we will make the Haugo dining room a calming and comfortable environment.

During the same time we can solve another problem identified on the survey, which was the drop-off area for kids in front of Van Demark. We will work with the architects to redesign traffic flow and include a covered area to make drop offs easier and safer for everyone.

BHCH

In January of 2022, CHS began working with JLG architects of Rapid City on a facilities master plan. We are fortunate to work with lead architects who have expertise in both healthcare and education facility design. To date, the process has included:

• Gathering input from all BHCH staff and children through a comprehensive survey process

• Appointing a committee of staff representing all work groups to ensure the architects understood the dynamics and complexities of our services.

• Engineers conducting a review of existing infrastructure

• Architects observing the wake-up process and transition to school to gather further information on our facility needs.

As we finalize recommendations, we are experiencing “sticker-shock” regarding the cost estimates of building the ideal facility to continue our services for decades to come. We are committed to doing what is best for CHS long term; it will require taking a deep dive into our options with the collaboration and support of our board.

An ad-hoc board committee, co-chaired by board members Bobby Sundby and Paulette Davidson, will work closely with the CHS executive team to determine a path forward. We intend to continue providing the same services either at the current campus location, or a location in or near Rapid City. We are reviewing all options available and hope to have more clarity regarding a path forward in the next three to six months.

New Domestic Violence Shelter

The new building construction is on schedule, and we are planning to have a board meeting and ribbon cutting ceremony on October 13th. Amy and Kobi have been working hard to develop a move-in plan sometime in early November. 

We hope everyone understands that we are listening to your concerns and trying to make improvements based on your needs. We are better together!

Sincerely,

Michelle