November 1, 2024

Got Health Insurance?

Open Enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace beginning NOVEMBER 1, 2024 through JANUARY 15, 2025. Sign up by December 15^th for insurance coverage beginning January 2025.

• More people than ever before qualify for help paying for health coverage, even those who weren’t eligible in the past.
• Most people currently enrolled in a Marketplace plan may qualify for more tax credits.
• Health insurance premiums after these new savings will go down.

Visit Get Covered South Dakota for information and personal enrollment assistance, or visit HeathCare.gov.

Uninsured American Indians living in the He Sapa Catchment counties, Rapid City area, and Oglala, Rosebud and Cheyenne River Sioux tribal communities can receive free information and personal assistance from the Great Plains Health Insurance Exchange Navigator Program offered by the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board.

Mark Your Calendar

Saturday, December 7th

10:30 - 12:30

Mosaic Arts & Events at 500 North Main Ave, in Sioux Falls, SD

Get ready for our annual holiday event that’s perfect for families who want a calm and welcoming celebration! This special event is organized by South Dakota Parent Connection to help provide a quieter and more comfortable space for kids who might feel stressed by busy holiday crowds and loud noises.

Santa Claus will be there, ready for photos, so each child can have a special moment with him without feeling rushed. In addition to photos with Santa, there will be fun activities for everyone! Soft holiday music will play in the background, creating a peaceful and festive feeling.

Enjoy holiday cookies while sipping cocoa while making holiday crafts at different activity stations. These fun spots let kids take their time and be creative, enjoying the holiday spirit without pressure. Every part of this event is designed to make sure families can have a joyful and calm holiday experience together.

Families can also enter a raffle with exciting prizes, like holiday gift baskets and family experiences. This holiday event brings families together to enjoy the season in a gentle and cheerful way, full of fun, warmth, and magic—without the busy holiday crowds. To learn more visit our website.

Leadership Opportunity

The Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Collaborative is looking for parenting adults with young children to join the Family Leadership Group. The insight and feedback Family Leaders provide is extremely important to ECCS’s mission of improving child health outcomes in South Dakota. Family Leaders receive a $60 Amazon gift card for each meeting they attend.

Click here for the application and additional information.  Please email Darbi Hunt with any questions or call at (605) 641-6382.

Crisis Prevention Training

Safety-Care for Families is a Positive Behavior Intervention Training that provides the skills to effectively prevent, minimize, and manage behavioral challenges with dignity, safety, and with the possibility of change.

Safety-Care is for family members, direct support providers, case managers, and others who provide in-home support to people with or without disabilities.

Safety-Care training can help you:

• prevent crisis
• understand crisis events and how we accidentally contribute to them
• apply simple, evidence-based de-escalation strategies
• respond appropriately and safely to dangerous behavior
• prevent the need for restraint, this course does not teach physical management
• intervene after a crisis to reduce the chance for reoccurrence

Upcoming Events

Here are some educational opportunities offered by South Dakota Parent Connection and by other organizations that can help support South Dakota families. A complete list of events can be found on our website at www.sdparent.org or Facebook page.

November 6, 2024: Catch the College Wave - Mitchell, SD: This one-day conference for high school students with disabilities considering post-secondary education. South Dakota Parent Connection will be there to help answer your questions and share resources.

November 14, 2024: Catch the College Wave - Rapid City, SD: This one-day conference for high school students with disabilities considering post-secondary education. South Dakota Parent Connection will be there to help answer your questions and share resources.

December 7, 2024: Cookies & Cocoa: Join us for our 8th Annual Cookies & Cocoa event! We have lots of fun planned and Santa Claus will visit for pictures. The event is in the same location with a new name, Mosaic Arts & Events at 500 North Main Ave, in Sioux Falls, SD.

This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M2000666 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H328M140021, Family to Family Health Information Center, $96,750; and approximately 5% financed with non-governmental resources. The contents should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by U.S. Department of Education, HRSA, HHS, or the Federal Government.