Cedar Village Assisted Living Facility 3100 Shirley Bridge Avenue Yankton SD 57078 605 665-3401

Cedar Village Assisted Living Facility is a therapeutic place designed to provide permanent supported housing for individuals who are homeless because of severe and persistent mental illness.   

Cedar Village is operated by Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services, Inc., which is under the direction of Thomas S. Stanage, Ph.D., Executive Director.  Sherri Herrboldt, RN, serves as the manager for the assisted living facility.  L&CBHS administration, staff and Board of Directors have worked diligently to provide this most progressive approach to caring for those in greatest need. 

Construction of this new 20-bed facility was completed in late August 2003. The facility opened September 2, 2003.  It is located just east of the National Guard Armory, Yankton. 

Cedar Village is designed specifically for persons with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness, as well as for persons with very low-income.  For that reason Cedar Village is unique; it is the only facility in the state and region providing assisted living services specifically for persons with mental illness. 

The address for Cedar Village is at 3111 Shirley Bridge Avenue.  The street address is named in memory of the late Shirley Bridge (1935-2002).  Shirley was a tireless volunteer and dedicated mental health professional who advocated for those with serious and persistent mental illness.  She sought the highest quality services for persons with mental illness.  Her dream was that a facility like Cedar Village would be built right here in Yankton.  By placing her name on the avenue for this assisted living facility, the standard has been set for excellent care and treatment for all future residents. 

Cedar Village services are common to most assisted living facilities.  Services are provided to support residents needing the extra assistance available in an assisted living facility.  There are three nutritious meals served each day for residents.  Laundry and housekeeping assistance is available for residents.  Transportation to medical appointments and other destinations is provided.  Caring staff assist residents with personal needs and medication.  Cedar Village also has a full schedule of activities planned for residents to enjoy.  Cedar Village residents maintain all other rights and privileges as protected by state law.

Need for a Facility

Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services (staff) each year provides care for approximately 800 adults who have severe and persistent mental illness.  These are individuals who historically had been cared for by the Human Services Center, but who in more recent years have been largely cared for in the community by the mental health center.  Typically, this population has utilized low cost or subsidized housing that has not provided any services per sé.

Staff at Lewis & Clark has for a number of years recognized that this typically available housing arrangement has not been adequate for a group of individuals whom we serve.  This group needs to have services that include help with activities of daily living built into their housing.  We have seen a number of individuals fall through the cracks in care because this kind of support was not available. These individuals often end up homeless.  Because of this, staff has been working to address this problem for several years.

Background

Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services Staff worked with Development for The Disabled, Inc. to raise funds to meet the need for an assisted living facility for this population.  Development for the Disabled, Inc. has worked as the developer for this project. 

The project was funded by the 2001 McKenny-Vento Act Homeless Assistance Competition for $526,000.  This grant provided $400,000 for construction and $126,000 for yearly operation.  The project has also received a construction grant in the amount of $200,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank.  Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services has also been conditionally approved for a $733,600 zero (0) percent interest loan from the South Dakota Housing Authority.  The total cost of the project is $1,333,600.  It is important to note that the project would not have been possible without the operating subsidy from HUD.

The facility was constructed on land leased from the State of South Dakota.  It is located East of the National Guard Armory and is situated just behind the windbreak. The windbreak has been incorporated into the landscaping for the facility.

Public Private Partnership

This project represents a public private partnership at all levels.  Granting and loan authorities came together from the federal, regional and state levels. The idea of leasing the land originally came from the governor when he noted that we had received a HUD grant. The Department of Human Services and Office of School and Public Lands worked diligently to make the lease arrangement and to assure that the land continued to benefit individuals who have severe and persistent mental illnesses. The city and county have assisted at each step.  The project would not have been possible if even one of these entities had not assisted. 

For more information contact
Cedar Village Assisted Living Facility
3111 Shirley Bridge Avenue
Yankton, SD  57078
Phone: (605) 665-3401