South Dakota Rural Healthcare Facility Recruitment Assistance Program

Deanna Sprenger
DeAnn.Sprenger@state.sd.us
1.800.738.2301
605.773.2706

South Dakota Rural Healthcare Facility Recruitment Assistance Program provides qualifying healthcare providers an incentive payment in return for 3 continuous years of practice in an eligible rural community in South Dakota. Qualifying healthcare providers include:

• Nutritionists
• Nurses
• Occupational therapists
• Respiratory therapists
• Laboratory technologists
• Pharmacists
• Paramedics
• Medical technologists
• Radiologic technologists
• Speech therapists
• Social workers
• Dental hygienists

Eligible South Dakota licensed facilities include:

• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Federally certified home health agencies
• Chemical dependency treatment facilities
• Intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities
• Community support providers
• Community mental health centers
• ESRD facilities
• Federally Qualified Health Centers
• Ambulance services
• Dental practice

There is a limit of 3 participants per facility each year.

$10,000 for eligible health professionals. The incentive payment is split between the state and the employing facility depending on community size. Communities with a population of 2,500 or less pay 25% of the $10,000 incentive, and communities over 2,500 pay 50% of the $10,000 incentive.

Links to additional guidance and the application are available on the program website.

Submit completed applications by:

Mail:
Office of Rural Health
600 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, South Dakota 57501

Email:
DeAnn.Sprenger@state.sd.us

Program slots are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Facilities are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible on or after May 1, 2025.