Park Haven Recovery Center Opens in Yankton for Mothers

Park Haven Learning and Recovery Center, a new residential treatment program for women dealing with substance use disorder, is ready to open after a ribbon cutting ceremony took place Aug. 19 in Yankton, SD. It will open its doors on Monday, Aug. 24.

The 18-bed center is devoted to serving women, including pregnant women and mothers with dependent children. It is located at the corner of Summit and W. 5th streets near Westside Park, across the street from Avera Sacred Heart Hospital.

This project was made possible through a unique private-public collaboration. Avera Sacred Heart Hospital constructed and owns the facility and is partnering with Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services (L&CBHS) to provide programs and services. The South Dakota Department of Social Services awarded a grant of $3.8 million from state general funds to Avera Sacred Heart after evaluating competitive applications. In addition, generous donors to the Avera Foundation helped make this project a reality.

“This amazing and much-needed resource resulted from a vision, three years in the making, for a safe and supportive place for women to experience recovery and healing,” said Victoria Hanson, PhD, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital’s regional CEO and president.

“Behavioral health, especially substance use and addiction, was a key area of need recommended by the Avera Sacred Heart Community Health Needs Assessment,” Hanson said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13% of women report using alcohol during pregnancy and of those, 40% report binge drinking. Women also make up around 41% of overdose deaths in the state, according to State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System statistics.

The 18 private residential rooms feature private bathrooms. The building also provides common space, a shared kitchen, and offices. If women have infants or young children, the program offers accommodations so they can stay with their mother.

“This facility represents far more than a new building. It represents a transformational step forward for women, children and families in our community,” said Dr. Thomas Stanage, executive director of L&CBHS. “It reflects what can happen when a community recognizes a need, comes together around a shared vision, and commits itself to creating lasting change.”

A residential program can be a place to stay in a supportive community to establish or maintain a life free from alcohol or drugs. “This model can help reduce homelessness, prevent relapse and protect children,” Hanson said.

No mother should ever have to choose between her own recovery and the well-being of her family, Stanage added.

“Research and experience consistently demonstrate that longer participation in treatment leads to stronger recovery outcomes, greater stability and healthier families,” he said. “Too often, the responsibility of caring for children can become a barrier preventing women from remaining in treatment long enough to achieve lasting success. With this project, we are removing that barrier.”

Hanson noted the significance of having the Park Haven Learning and Recovery Center on property that was once occupied for many decades by the Starlite Inn motel.

“Avera Sacred Heart purchased and used the former Starlite hotel for a time as lodging for out-of-town patients and families,” she said. “It was closed due to its age and its condition and has now been replaced by this beautiful building that will again serve as a refuge for those who need a place to stay. We are proud to be a part of such a meaningful project that will impact the lives of many.”

The $3.8 million investment made possible through Senate Bill 196 — passed during the 2022 legislative session — reflects South Dakota’s commitment to supporting families and building stronger communities by expanding access to these lifesaving services.

"Avera is committed to serving our communities needs through meaningful and innovative solutions," Hanson said. "We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services and are grateful for Governor Larry Rhoden and the State of South Dakota's support of this work and caring for this important population."