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South Dakota has more children in foster care than foster families licensed to care for them. Two young women who aged out of the foster system share their stories, and two current foster families talk about the dire need.
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The effects of child trauma coupled with recent changes in state juvenile justice policy have left some families to fall through the cracks. For others, juvenile diversion programs offer a second chance to stay out of the juvenile justice system altogether.
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State officials say South Dakota is in need of more people to help foster children. South Dakota Focus spoke to two families about the system, the challenges and what it will take to get more people involved.
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Diversion programs can help low-offending juveniles avoid getting entangled in the criminal justice system. Lawmakers recently upped the reimbursement rate to counties for these programs, but not every community has the same resources.
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The Department of Health is asking South Dakota residents to participate in a survey to evaluate health-related needs across the state.
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A bill requesting funding for a child care study in South Dakota has died on the Senate floor. But that study will still take place thanks to support from the Department of Social Services.
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While the legislature works to address teacher pay, some programs work to find future teachers among South Dakota's current high school students.
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While the Legislature works to address teacher pay, groups like Educators Rising tap current students to consider a future career in education.
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The child care crisis continues, and some advocates are looking to lawmakers for some kind of solution. While legislative leaders agree child care access is a workforce issue, they struggle with what can be done about it.
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Legislative leaders agree that the ongoing child care crisis in South Dakota represents a significant workforce problem. Advocates are worried they lack a sense of urgency.