EddieEndures - Children's Home Society

Child Advocacy Centerof the Black HillsAdds Family Support & Victim Advocacy“I have a question…”These are some of the most frequently askedquestions about CHS.WHY DO CHILDREN COME TO CHILDREN’S HOME?The majority of children are exhibiting emotional orbehavioral problems that are a result of physical abuse,sexual abuse, or extreme neglect. Some children aredealing with emotional, mental health, developmental, orlearning issues which are not the fault of parents, andneed more intensive intervention than a parent and/or apublic school can provide.WHO REFERS CHILDREN TO CHS?The majority of children are referred by the SDDepartment of Social Services. Others come from schooldistricts, psychiatric hospitals, parents, tribal & BIA SocialServices, and Social Service offices from surroundingstates.Shown left to right: Steve Deming; Dr. Charles Hart, RegionalHealth; Dr. David Mueller, Black Hills Pediatrics; and Bill Colson.The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is located at Black HillsPediatrics in Rapid City. Working with law enforcement and socialservice agencies, CAC provides a single, specialized medicalexamination and forensic interview in cases of suspected childabuse—particularly in cases of alleged sexual abuse. This level ofevidence is critical in the prosecution of child abusers and sexualoffenders. More importantly, this service reduces a child victim’strauma by coordinating one single exam and interview to be used byall investigative parties.“While this is an invaluable service, done with excellence, there iscertainly one thing we could do better—and that is providing supportservices to the families of these children we are seeing,” says SteveDeming, Director of Children’s Home Society’s Community BasedServices in the Black Hills.In 2010, CAC received a grant that permitted the hiring of a familysupport specialist for one year. And those funds are about to run out.“That is where Regional Health stepped in,” Deming continues.“Black Hills Regional Health has donated $25,000 to sustain thisposition beyond 2011. In addition, the Children’s Miracle Network—an agency of Rapid City Regional Hospital—also contributed fundsto update medical equipment for the center.”The Rushmore Rotary Club of Rapid City has also been a keysupporter of CAC by raising $1 million over the past 10 years to helpendow the center’s daily operations.“When local organizations step up to help like this, it makes all thedifference in the world,” says Bill Colson, CHS Executive Director.WHERE DO THE KIDS COME FROM?Geographically, children come from virtually every countyin South Dakota. In 2010, there were 2,276 children fromall across the state that were served by a CHS program.HOW LONG DO THEY STAY?An average length of stay for children in residentialtreatment is 12-13 months.AFTER THEY LEAVE CHS, WHERE DO THEY GO?IN A RECENT YEAR:• 47% returned to birth parents• 23% went to live with foster parents• 12% went to a relative other than parents• 9% went to adoptive or pre-adoptive parents• 9% needed to continue residential treatment in anotherprogram due to the level of the behavioral or emotionaldisturbances.What would you like to know?Please email your question(s) to deb.moritz@chssd.orgWe will feature reader questions in future issues.DIRECTORS EMERITUSHas served six or more years as a CHS Board Member; andHas served six or more years as a CHF Board Member; andHas served as President of either Board.Emeritus Board Members include:Lynne ByrneJeb ClarksonSteve EggerPhil Helland*Blake HoffmanBob Hoover*Deanna Lien*Helen MadsenJack MarshmanMac McCrackenLinda Mickelson GrahamRob Mudge*TJ ReardonJohn Rozell*Peg SeljeskogDennis Stene*Pam Taylor JansaMarilyn Van Demark*Doug Wells*Current Board Member8