September 25, 2023

Traumatic Brain Injury

Most of us never imagine that our lives could be impacted by a brain injury, but the BIAA reports that at least 2.8 million people sustain brain injury each year in the United States.

The University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities, in collaboration with the South Dakota Department of Human Services, has partnered with the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development to learn more about the services and support needs and challenges experienced by people with brain injury in South Dakota. Information collected from a brief survey will be used to inform efforts to better support brain injury survivors and their families statewide. They would like to reach as many survivors and families as possible to best identify areas of need and shape statewide initiatives in the coming years. 

If you live in South Dakota and are a Brain Injury survivor or know someone who is please join the University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities, in collaboration with the South Dakota Department of Human Services, in partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development by taking a survey to learn more about statewide services, support needs and challenges experienced by people with brain injuries. All information collected will be used to create better support for brain injury survivors and their families throughout South Dakota. Click to take the Survey

Check out these resources for more information:

Children and Concussion/Brain Injury

CDC Heads Up

Returning to School After Concussion- A Fact Sheet for School Professionals

Help Prevent Suicide

In 2022, roughly 49,500 people died by suicide according to the CDC, which is the highest number ever recorded. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the behaviors listed below may be some of the signs that someone is thinking about suicide.

Talking about:

• Wanting to die
• Great guilt or shame
• Being a burden to others

Feeling:

• Empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live
• Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage
• Unbearable emotional or physical pain

Changing behavior, such as:

• Making a plan or researching ways to die
• Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will
• Taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast
• Displaying extreme mood swings
• Eating or sleeping more or less
• Using drugs or alcohol more often

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 

Call or text 988

Chat at 988lifeline.org

Crisis Text Line 

Text “HELLO” to 741741

After High School

Having a vision for a good life is what every parent wants for their child. These timely and informative sessions will provide the resources parents and young adults with disabilities need moving forward after high school.

Young adults will learn the importance of making connections, building relationships, and setting goals along with tips for working with agencies that can help them find employment.

Parents will learn how their role in their child's life is changing, how to speak up, make positive plans for the future, and support their child. To learn more visit our website.

These sessions are available to families in the Sioux Falls School District and surrounding area.

Sessions every Monday beginning November 6th through December 4th

Parents and their young adult are required to attend each session.

5:45 - 8:00 pm

Axtell Park School Library

Registration is required and space is limited so don't wait!

Staff Spotlight

Courtney Temple is our new Outreach Specialist in the Rapid City office. She is a veteran of the United States Air Force. After leaving the military Courtney worked with special needs children and adults as a Paraprofessional and Job Coach while she earned her BBA with a concentration in health care management. She then became a registered behavior technician and has been trained in ABA therapy. Courtney is currently attending Walden University to earn her Masters in Elementary and Special Education.

What's Happening

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 ww.sdparent.org or Facebook page.

September 26, 2023 Immunize South Dakota Conference: This year’s event will demonstrate how community engagement impacts the health of the people in the community. The opening keynote will talk about building trust with patients by meeting them where they are, why engaging and giving back to their communities is important, and how understanding their needs leads to better care. The closing speaker will discuss how to become involved with your community and different ways to give back. Sessions throughout the day will cover specific vaccination topics as well as strategies to overcome barriers to care and improve vaccine confidence. 

In-person in Sioux Falls with a virtual attendance option, this conference is intended to promote immunizations throughout South Dakota by supporting healthcare providers through education and community outreach resources.

October 12 - 14, 2023 Afterschool...It's the REAL DEAL Conference: Each October, SoDakSACA sponsors a statewide conference for professionals working with school-age children to fit its mission of promoting quality improvement through professional development. Approximately 200 after-school directors, staff, and others attend this annual conference for the excellent keynotes, workshop sessions, and networking opportunities it affords.

October 17-21, 2023: The South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center: will be offering Common Sense Parenting as a free online class from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM MT (enrollees should plan to attend all six sessions).

Preregistration is required.

October 23-25, 2023 - 2023 Disability Services & Supports Fall Conference: Brought to you by SDRehabACTion. Learn more about the presenters and how to register on their website.

November 6 - 8, 2023 - ARC's National Convention: an opportunity to connect and learn with advocates, professionals, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. If you are interested in employment, education, advocacy, housing, criminal justice, and more – our sessions are sure to challenge, inspire, and motivate!

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, $93,175; 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 US Department of Education, HRSA, HHS or the Federal Government.