Choose State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington, D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Last Updated: October 6, 2009

South Dakota

State Coordinator(s)

South Dakota Department of Social Services
Sherrie Fines
Independent Living Coordinator
Office of Child Protective Services
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3227
Fax: (605) 773-6834
Email: sherrie.fines@state.sd.us
Website: www.state.sd.us/social/CPS/IndepLiving/index.htm

2009 Chafee Allocation

$500,000

2009 ETV Allocation

$141,448

Number of youth 16-21 (most current AFCARS data -2006)

203

State's Chafee Mission Statement

The Independent Living Program in South Dakota is designed to assist teens in the custody of an agency transition from foster care to self-sufficiency through multiple services in the areas of:

• employment;
• education;
• life skills;
• housing;
• health;
• community connections; and
• youth development opportunities

Who is Eligible for Chafee Services?

Eligible youth in South Dakota are those in the custody of South Dakota, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribes, Casey and/or other placement agencies. Graduated services begin at age 14 and include youth likely to remain in foster care until age 18 and youth up to the age of 21. Native American youth are involved in all aspects of the state program. Independent Living Services and classes are also available to youth on reservations and individual communities.

What is the State's Definition of Room and Board?

To receive “room and board” youth must have left foster care because they attained 18 years of age and have not yet reached their 21st birthday. Youth need to complete an individual Independent Living Plan and submit a housing application for prior approval before funds can be expended.  The following steps will occur prior to allocation of funds

Maximum Age that Youth may Remain in Care

21

No additional information is available.

Under what Conditions Can a Youth Remain in Care Beyond 18?

If the youth has not completed high school.

Is the Extended Medicaid Option Available for Youth Until 21?

Yes

All youth in the custody of the Department of Social Services on their 18th birthday. Renewal is necessary.

Can Youth in Care Get Driver’s Licenses?

Yes

Teens in the custody of the state residing in foster care must have the signature of the Director of the Division of Child Protection Services in order to apply for a driver’s license.  The Parental Consent Form is obtained from the Driver’s License Examiner’s Office.  The information below must be provided to the Director.

• proof of passage of a driver’s education class;
• proof of acceptable school performance;
• proof of insurance coverage;
• a statement from the social worker attesting to the appropriateness of the request, the overall behavior of the youth and the acceptance of responsibility by the youth;
• the Foster Resource Family agreement signed by the Foster Resource Family with whom the youth is living; and
• the signed Conditions of Surrender statement.

The information should be accompanied by a letter from the teen outlining their assessment of school performance, behavior within their Foster Resource Family and reasons for needing a driver’s license.

Does the State Offer Tuition Waivers for Foster Youth?

No

No additional information is available. 

Does the State Have a Youth Leadership Program?

Yes