SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Minnehaha County Commission today agreed to contract with Lutheran Social Services to run the Juvenile Detention Shelter Care and Reception Center.
Executive Director Betty Oldenkamp says the county will benefit from using the current LSS facility at Fourth and Presentation Street.
Oldenkamp says LSS will also serve kids that need shelter care through the Department of Social Services, the Department of Corrections and from other counties. Funds received through those sources would offset funds received from the county.
Shelter Care is for youth not needed to be secured in detention; if their parents can't be located for instance or need a place to stay until their court appearance. The Reception Center is for low level offenders that will be in system less than 24 hours.
Oldenkamp says LSS will pay particular attention to not mixing long term offenders with kids that are there on short term stays.
The contract with the county is two years. The current contractor recently informed the county that it was not renewing its contract in March.