**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:**

Tammi Schone - (605) 352-1102

# FACILITY HELPS AT RISK YOUTH [*Services Expanded With the Assistance of USDA Rural Development* ]{.underline}

**(Spearfish, South Dakota -- January 4, 2005)** USDA Rural Development
approved a guaranteed loan of \$1,125,000 and a direct loan of
\$1,125,000 to assist Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota in
financing the construction of Canyon Hills Center, a residential
facility in Spearfish serving the needs of youth at risk throughout
western South Dakota. This project is part of a statewide campaign,
*Changing Children's Lives,* to raise capital for the construction of
new facilities in Spearfish and Sioux Falls and an expansion of current
facilities in Aberdeen.

USDA Rural Development is joining many other individuals, businesses,
organizations and congregations in South Dakota in helping abused and
neglected children find a place where they can be safe today and
successful tomorrow. A large network of dedicated volunteers statewide
has been vital to the success of the campaign. To date, the campaign has
raised \$5.4 million in gifts and grants toward the \$10 million needed
to complete all three projects.

"Lutheran Social Services is grateful for USDA Rural Development in
reaching out to help South Dakota's children in need," stated Billie
Greenfield, *Changing Children's Lives* capital campaign director and
LSS vice president of resource development. Last July, Lutheran Social
Services of South Dakota dedicated the \$2.6 million Canyon Hills Center
at 2519 Windmill Drive, Spearfish, South Dakota. The new 19,115 square
foot center is now home for both boys and girls, primarily from the
Black Hills area. The number of children able to be served increased
from 13 to 30.

The children served at Canyon Hills Center come with emotional,
behavioral and educational problems. Skilled counselors help children
overcome trauma, abuse, neglect, abandonment, addictions to alcohol and
chemicals, and violence. Last year, LSS served approximately 300
children in residential care statewide.

"An important gauge of the success in residential treatment involves how
successful the children are after leaving care. For some children,
returning to their homes may be the best option. For others, foster care
or adoption is best," says Tom Walsh, LSS vice president of program
services. "The goal of treatment is that clients are successful in a
less restrictive environment than residential care. This is tracked at
discharge and again six months after discharge. Of the children
completing the program, 75 percent were discharged to a less restrictive
environment. After six months, 79 percent remained in a less restrictive
environment. These statistics reflect a successful residential treatment
program."

The new LSS Center for Children and Youth in Sioux Falls is expected to
begin construction in Spring 2006. The expansion of New Beginnings
Center in Aberdeen will be complete soon.

USDA Rural Development has ten offices in the state that assist rural
communities. Office locations include a state office in Huron, along
with area offices in Aberdeen, Huron, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City,
Sioux Falls, Sturgis, Watertown, and Yankton.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that
will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of
life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development
provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in
homeownership, business development, and critical community and
technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is
available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's
web site at <http://www/rurdev.usda.gov>.

**- USDA -**