Lutheran Social Services’ Family-Based Services helps families who may be at risk of having a child placed outside the home. LSS Family-Based Services provides an intensive in-home therapy program to strengthen the family unit. The program is designed for at risk families who are referred to LSS by a child service agency. Family-Based Services are available to children ages 5 to 18 and their families.

At LSS, Family-Based Services treats families with respect and highly individualized care. Goals and interventions for treatment are created together by the child, family and a LSS therapist using family strengths as a catalyst for change. The specific goals and interventions used are based on the wants and needs of the family as well as a thorough assessment by the therapist. Individualized treatment may include: cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy and numerous family therapy methods.

LSS therapists are trained to use a family-centered approach to help define problems the child or family is experiencing. Some of the most common skills-building goals and techniques are: improve family communication patterns, enhance parenting skills, identify and work with family strengths and weaknesses, enhance problem-solving techniques, increase support systems, improve school and social performance.

Aspects to Family-Based Services

1. Crisis Intervention: Families have direct access to a counselor 24-hours per day, seven days a week.
2. Case Management: The treatment team serves as the family’s case manager during service. These duties include assessment, planning, service linkage, advocacy and referrals.
3. Therapeutic Intervention: Treatment services may include individual, family, marital or group therapy.
4. Family Support Services: Family-Based therapist will help the family with formal and informal services that decrease the need for out-of-home placement. These services may include linking the family to education, employment, day care or financial assistance.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Child/youth (one or more) is in imminent danger of being removed from the home.
2. Situation where the youth is adjudicated to be a juvenile delinquent or Child In Need of Supervision (CHINS).
3. Family situation is such that one or more younger siblings are being affected by the behavior and problems of another family member.
4. Family should have received previous help, or efforts attempted with other types of service.
5. The program is designed for at risk families who are referred to LSS by a child service agency.
   

Aberdeen Area Counseling Center
Lisa Adler, Director
202 South Main Street, Suite 228
Aberdeen, SD 57401
1-605-229-1500
1-800-584-9248
Fax: 1-605-229-4357
Email: Lisa Adler
Satellite Office: Mobridge

Rapid City Area Counseling Center
Alan McCoy, Director
2920 Sheridan Lake Road
Rapid City, SD 57702-5350
1-605-348-0477
1-800-260-1439
Fax: 1-605-348-0479
Email: Alan McCoy
Satellite: Sturgis

Sioux Falls Area Counseling Center
Kelly Bass, Clinical Supervisor
Mel Harrington, Director
705 East 41st Street, Suite 100
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
1-605-357-0131
1-800-568-2401
Fax: 1-605-357-0190
Email: Kelly Bass
Email: Mel Harrington
Satellites: Brookings, Mitchell, Yankton

Watertown Area Counseling Center
Mel Harrington, Director
Cindy Hartwig, Counseling Services Manager
1424 9th Avenue SE, Suite 7
Watertown, SD 57201
1-605-882-2740
1-800-568-7116
Fax: 1-605-882-4323
Email: Mel Harrington
Email: Cindy Hartwig
Satellites: Milbank, Sisseton

© Lutheran Social Services.
All Rights Reserved.