This week Children’s Home Society of South Dakota (CHS) announced it will locate to a new campus in Rapid City at 5301 S. Highway 16, which is the former National American University (NAU) campus.

“We are proud to begin a new era in caring for children and families in the Black Hills,” said CEO Michelle Lavallee. “CHS has ‘lived’ in the Hills for many years and with this campus, we can have a more positive impact in the community.”

“Having our team of experts in one place allows for the most impactful and efficient care,” Lavallee added. “The new location is also more convenient for families, our visiting care providers and staff.”

CHS Board President, Deb Soholt, said, “Today’s announcement is far more than detailing a brick-and-mortar project, it is about the next step in our journey of providing services and bringing hope and opportunities to the people we are blessed to serve.”

The new campus will bring all Black Hills programs, along with the Children’s Home Foundation, to one location. Programs at the site will include Residential Treatment and Education, currently located in Rockerville; Children’s Home Child Advocacy Center; Child Abuse Prevention, Training and Education; and Community Based Services, which is comprised of Adoption, Therapeutic Foster Care and Family Engagement Services.

Combining facilities at one location will improve their ability to best serve the community with the full portfolio of programs and services. Having the team of experts in one place allows for the most impactful and efficient care. The new location is also more convenient for families, staff, visiting care providers and Child Advocacy Center co-located multi-disciplinary team members. These include Rapid City Police, Pennington County Sheriff’s office, Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office and others.

CHS provides residential treatment and education for children ages 4 to 14, foster care and adoption services, forensic interviews for children, and child abuse prevention training and education. They are licensed to serve up to 53 children ages 4 to 14 in their residential program. Kids typically live on campus for 18 months. Should the need arise, the building can be expanded to add 14 bedrooms and 41 beds. The new location will also allow for significant expansion of Community Based Services and Children’s Home Child Advocacy Center as needed.

When agreements have been put into place, students in the Rapid City School District and other community school districts will be able to attend Owen School as day students. Owen School is approved as a special population school by the South Dakota Department of Education. We hope to serve 30 day school students from Rapid City and the surrounding area.

“This campus will impact and empower people and serve as a guiding light of hope and healing for kids and families,” said Jon Mammenga, Chief Philanthropy Officer. “The project carries with it the collective hopes of children and families who need our help. And this community is generous, compassionate and strong.”

CHS expects construction to begin in late 2024 with a move-in date in mid-2026. The buildings at the current Rockerville and Jolly Lane locations will be sold, with proceeds used to fund the new building.