General Info

Established in 1893, Children's Home Society of South Dakota is the state's oldest human service nonprofit organization. Serving as South Dakota's primary orphanage and adoption agency for more than 70 years, thousands of children were rescued, cared for, and provided permanent families. In the late 1960s, the need for orphanages diminished across the country as foster care was introduced and became the preferred method of care for abused and abandoned children. To address another growing need, we then focused our efforts on developing residential treatment and special education programs. Over the years, we have continued to expand our continuum of programs to meet the evolving needs of children and families. These include Emergency Shelter and Crisis Intervention, Forensic Interviews and Advocacy, Residential Treatment and Education, Adoption and Foster Care, Nurse-Family Visitation, and Prevention Education and Training. Through our many programs, we serve families, individuals, and children of all ages. Many are victims of domestic violence, abuse and neglect, or traumatic life events. We also partner with caring parents to help children with emotional or behavioral needs. Through all of our programs, we are ready to come alongside parents or guardians to strengthen their families, and to help children get the care and services they need.