SDML BOARD NEWS

JUNE 14, YANKTON, SD - The SDML Board of Directors held their summer meeting in Yankton, the home of current Board President Amy Leon. Each year, the SDML Board of Directors meets in the home city of the current Board President for its summer meeting.

During the meeting, the Board of Directors discussed annual conference planning, accepted the 2022 SDML audit, discussed the SDML 90th anniversary and rebranding project, and selected Frieberg, Nelson, & Ask LLP as legal counsel for the League via an RFP process. Additionally, the Board welcomed newly appointed Sioux Falls councilmember David Barranco as SDML Trustee, replacing Alex Jensen.

NEXT MEETING: Oct. 3, Rapid City

Ten SD Counties Recieve Disaster Approval for Spring Flooding

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota has received a Presidential Disaster Declaration that allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help South Dakota local governments in the counties of Brown, Clark, Codington, Day, Faulk, Grant, Hand, Marshall, Potter, and Roberts, as well as the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation.

On June 2, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2023-08, which declared a disaster in the impacted counties. An estimated $2,305,362 in qualifying costs were incurred during the flooding in those counties listed.

Federal resources will help with recovery from infrastructure damage sustained as a result of severe spring flooding.

Above normal seasonal snowfall and unusually cold late spring conditions resulted in a persistent and unusually deep snowpack into early April.

In the second week of April temperatures became abnormally warm, surging to the 70s and 80s. This resulted in a period of very rapid snowmelt and both river and overland flooding. As a result of the flooding, many roads were not suitable for travel. Ten counties and one reservation suffered severe impacts to public infrastructure. ■

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Department of Social Services (DSS) and The Helpline Center are celebrating the oneyear anniversary of the start of South Dakota’s 988.

988 is a national three-digit phone number that has been created as a resource for all mental health-related distress, substance use, and suicide crises. People can also call 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need support.

While 988 is available nationally, the network relies on each state to erect its own mental health resource to ensure crisis services are available. 988 exists today in South Dakota because of Governor Noem’s support and because of the Legislature’s appropriation of adequate funding. While calling from a 605 area code, persons are routed to The Helpline Center, a South Dakota-based 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Center, which provides 24/7 access to Master’s-level trained mental health professionals. Text and chat services are also available in English through 988.

Since the launch of 988 in South Dakota, more than 7,500 individuals have called, texted, and chatted with 988 mental health counselors. The counselors have listened to concerns, provided support, and connected the individuals to additional resources and follow-up care.

In this first year, counselors have:

• Connected with persons ranging in age from 12-yearsold to 80-years-old.

• Talked with at least one individual from each of South Dakota’s 66 counties.

• Supported individuals struggling with grief, addictions, and thoughts of depression such that they are struggling to get through their day.

“988 through its volume and utilization has shown already in its first year that it is a resource being connected to extraordinary needs. DSS is proud to be a part of what we hope South Dakotans see as an asset to our community and a lifeline for those experiencing acute mental health needs,” said DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff. “988 provides a direct connection to compassionate care and support for anyone experiencing mental-health-related distress, suicide crisis, or substance use. We ask for your assistance in helping to make 988 as well-known as 911, 511, and 211 so that South Dakotans who need this resource might be in position to reach out to it.”

For more information about 988 and The Helpline Center, visit https://www.helplinecenter.org/9-8-8. ■