How we are advocating for Providers in SD!

The American Rescue Plan (ARPA) was passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in March of 2021 to help speed up recovery from the effects of the pandemic. South Dakota was awarded over 100 million dollars for child care alone, but the state can decide whether or not to accept the funds. The state is already taking many actions to help parents and providers during this unprecedented time of hardship but this additional funding could provide incredible opportunities for children, families, and child care providers. Early Learner South Dakota (ELSD), which is a coalition of stakeholders from across South Dakota that are committed to elevating early learning, has made some recommendations for how South Dakota could utilize ARPA funds. Below you will read the highlights of those 8 recommendations.  

ECE Statewide Workforce Study

Step Up to T.E.A.C.H. program

Step Up to WAGE$ program

Voluntary Registration List (unregulated providers)

SD Statewide ECE Enrichment Office Shared Online Platform

SD Updated Statewide Data System

Marketing Child Care Assistance and other Department Offerings

Reimbursement Based on Enrollment No on hours attended for 2021-2024

Note: these funds are outside of the already required or recommended guidelines laid out in the federal guidance on the funds. If you have any other suggestions that are not included here we encourage you to reach out to Early Learner SD at info@earlylearnersd.org.

Ensuring Kindergartners are Prepared for School this Fall



South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center has put together a collection of resources to help ensure South Dakota children are ready for Kindergarten.

Daycare limits putting financial and logistical hardships on South Dakota Families

A major decline in the availability of affordable childcare options has prevented some parents from entering the workforce and created hardships. Article by Danielle Ferguson of South Dakota News Watch.

Lawrence County Elected Official Round Table

A round table event was held on June 30^th to help our elected officials understand the dire situation that our providers and parents have been put in with the COVID pandemic. The elected officials heard from providers, parents and businesses and then received a tour of a quality early learning center in the area.

They were also given some take-aways from the meeting. 

1. How to spend the federal relief dollars to best help our providers and families.
2. Consideration of creating a local voluntary registry list of unregistered providers, for communication purposes
3. How to find ways to increase child care capacity in our community
4. Promotion of the Preschool Levels of Excellence
5. Ways to continually engage with early learning entities and advocates such as • Early Learner SD • DSS • ECE Enrichment offices.

We would like to thank Coeur Wharf for sponsoring this event.

Pictured above are some participants of the elected official round table.

From left to right: Tim Johns-Senator, Ron Everett-Lead Mayor, Nick Gottlob-Spearfish Elementary Principal, Ken Nelson-Coeur Wharf Mine Manager, John Key-Coeur Wharf, Kayla Klein-Lead City Commissioner and United Way of the Black Hills, Lori Frederick-South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development, Michelle Kane-SD CEO Executive Director, Kim Huber-Coeur Wharf.

Custer has launched into the early learning community toolkit process by applying for a grant through Black Hills Reads / United Way. They have started by working with the National League of Cities guide and bringing together a group of dedicated stakeholders to start the process. Custer is kicking things off by doing a few community awareness pieces. During the 4th of July celebrations they hosted a booth to promote Custer as an Early Learning Community. They also created a town scavenger hunt and are giving prizes to anyone under 8 who finishes. They have also started communications with local elected officials and hope to grow their active stakeholders working on the process.