Wellspring Family Based Programs

Historical Overview

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the 2004 opening of the Chemical Dependency Treatment Center for Girls

1988 - 1989: Conversations between Dr. Steve Manlove, Judge Marshall Young and Attorney Al Scovel reveal inadequacies in appropriate treatment alternatives for adolescents in western South Dakota. They agree that the family is the most important and underutilized resource in the treatment of adolescents.
1990: Steve Manlove, Marshall Young, Al Scovel, Rev. Larry Dahlstrom and Roger Erickson file Articles of Incorporation with South Dakota and Wellspring is created. Tax exemption is applied for.
1991: IRS grants tax-exempt status. [501(c)(3)]
1992: Further refinement of treatment program.
1993: JJAC grant application filed in September is funded. The grant is to divert youth from the juvenile justice system.
1994 January: First Family Based Therapist hired: Wellspring's Family Based concept is developed.
1994 March - June: Family Based Counseling begins and caseload fills. Additional Family Based Therapist hired. Director hired. Mission Statement and new plans for future program development approved by Board.
1994 July - October: Office Manager and another Family Based Therapist added. Wellspring is approached following the closure of the St. James Street House group home in Rapid City. Board authorizes investigation of building lease and residential treatment license.
1995 February: St. James Street facility gifted to Wellspring by Rapid City and Pennington County. Work begins on building repairs and applications for residential license. Staff added.
1995 November - December: License granted for 12 residential treatment beds. Staff (21) hired for residential program.
1996 January: First residents enter Family Reconciliation Center.
1997 June: Wellspring moves administrative offices into an addition to the Family Reconciliation Center.
1998: Day Treatment Program is created to provide therapeutic intervention during high-risk afternoon and evening hours or while a youth is suspended from school.
1999 January: 12 residential beds are not adequate to meet community’s needs. The Family Reconciliation Center is granted a license for 14 residential treatment beds.
1999: Wellspring Board of Directors identifies additional community needs.
1999 June: Wellspring receives two adjoining city lots from the city of Rapid City.
1999 December: Runaway/Homeless Youth Program added.
2000: Family Reconciliation Center requires waiver to go over the 14 licensed beds nine out of the past 12 months.
2000: There has been a waiting list of youth to enter the Family Reconciliation Center for more than a year. The waiting list is currently 16 youth.
2000: Approximately seven youth each month are referred to other programs in eastern South Dakota or out of the state due to the unavailability of space or lack of appropriate program.
2000: Wellspring Board of Directors authorizes proceeding with additional programming and facilities needs assessment.
2000: Wellspring Board Program Committee prioritizes program needs. Wellspring retains an architect for facility planning.
2002: Family Reconciliation Center was granted a license for 18 beds, moved into a new addition and continued to have a wait list of an average of 20 additional youth.
2004: Development Director hired.
2004: Chemical Dependency Treatment Center for Girls opens.
2006: Youth Challenge became a Medicaid reimbursable service for Medicaid eligible youth through an agreement with the division of Mental Health partnered with Behavior Management Services.
2006: Soaring Eagle became a part of Wellspring
2008: Accreditation Specialist came on board
2008: Capital Campaign completed

Wellspring currently employs 60 staff members and is providing services to approximately 50 youth/families each week.