PIERRE – The Department of Social Services is planning several opportunities for child care providers, community members and families to give their input on how one-time funding for South Dakota’s child care system is spent.
Listening sessions will be held for child care providers and the general public in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen and Rapid City. Virtual sessions will also be available for those who are unable to attend in person.
“Child care is an important issue for families, businesses and communities across South Dakota,” DSS Cabinet Secretary Laurie Gill said. “It is important to hear from those directly affected on how the one-time funds we have available can best be put to use.”
DSS has $38 million in discretionary funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to support child care. Funds can be used for any allowable use of federal Child Care Development Funds and must meet all federal requirements.
In-person and virtual sessions for child care providers and the advocate community will be held:
• Monday, Aug. 8, 6-8 p.m. (CDT), Southeast Technical College, The HUB, Sioux Falls
• Wednesday, Aug. 10, 6-8 p.m. (CDT), virtual registration link: https://bit.ly/3OJ5uM2
• Friday, Aug. 12, 6-8 p.m. (CDT), Best Western Ramkota Hotel, Aberdeen
• Monday, Aug. 15, 6-8 p.m. (MDT), Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown – Convention Center, Rapid City
To register for an in-person provider listening session, visit https://forms.office.com/r/qdX3F6zzqd.
In-person and virtual sessions for families and community members will be held:
• Tuesday, Aug. 9, 6-8 p.m. (CDT), Southeast Technical College, The HUB, Sioux Falls
• Thursday, Aug. 11, 6-8 p.m. (CDT), Best Western Ramkota Hotel, Aberdeen
• Tuesday, Aug. 16, 6-8 p.m. (MDT), Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown – Convention Center
• Monday, Aug. 22, 6-8 p.m. (CDT), virtual registration link: https://bit.ly/3ziNF0n
• Tuesday, Aug. 23, 6-8 p.m. (CDT), virtual registration link: https://bit.ly/3OCZRyJ
To register for an in-person family listening session, visit https://forms.office.com/r/es4K02VnRL.
“Creating quality, affordable child care options helps keep South Dakota families and our economy strong,” Gill said. “The ideas and solutions that will be brought forth at these sessions will be paramount in charting a path to greater access to child care.”
Visit dss.sd.gov to learn more about child care funding.
