South Dakota Models and Innovations

These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.

Other Project Examples

Mitchell Area Safehouse and Family Visitation Center
Updated/reviewed November 2021

• Need: To provide victims of domestic violence a safe space, advocacy, education, and family support services.
• Intervention: The Mitchell Area Safehouse and Family Visitation Center in rural South Dakota provides emergency/transitional housing, support groups, and community education.
• Results: In 2020, Mitchell Area Safehouse answered 401 crisis calls, provided shelter for 169 survivors, and advocated for 239 survivors. The Safehouse assisted in 19 protection orders and provided advocacy to 17 sexual assault survivors.

Avera LIGHT
Updated/reviewed March 2021

• Need: Assistance for urban and rural physicians — as well as other healthcare providers — who are experiencing burnout and other issues associated with well-being.
• Intervention: As part of its provider well-being focus in its rural and urban facilities, Avera Health system has created a program which attends to physician wellness issues starting with recruitment with continued support through retirement.
• Results: With increasing engagement due to word of mouth, the program creates a culture of wellness where stigma is decreased and providers are encouraged to be proactive in reaching out for assistance for issues related to their personal and professional well-being.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Physician Recruitment Model
Updated/reviewed February 2021

• Need: Localized specialty and surgery services for residents in rural northeastern South Dakota and western Minnesota.
• Intervention: Prairie Lakes Healthcare System expanded their services by recruiting specialty physicians and networking with regional community hospitals to increase patient referrals.
• Results: Patients receive surgery and specialized care closer to home through Prairie Lakes' specialty medical providers and specialty services.

Safe Farming, Safe Living
Updated/reviewed December 2020

• Need: In 2014, the Avera St. Benedict Health Center's emergency department experienced a drastic increase in the amount of Hutterite patients with farm-related injuries.
• Intervention: The South Dakota Critical Access Hospital created a program to educate Hutterite communities on farm hazards and safe work practices.
• Results: Since the program began in 2015, the Avera St. Benedict emergency department has had no life-threatening agricultural injury admissions from the Hutterite communities. Attendees have said their confidence in their ability to identify hazards has increased, and more of them are using safety equipment on a regular basis.

Sowing the Seeds of Hope
Updated/reviewed November 2020

• Need: Agriculture workers and their families have high rates of psychological distress and suicide, but limited access to mental health services.
• Intervention: The "Sowing the Seeds of Hope" (SSoH) program was created to provide affordable and culturally appropriate mental health services to individuals working in agriculture and their families in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
• Results: The regional program ran from 1999-2014 and successfully established a variety of interventions to help individuals in rural communities access behavioral health services.

Rural Experiences for Health Professions Students (REHPS)
Updated/reviewed March 2020

• Need: An ongoing shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas of South Dakota
• Intervention: A 4-week summer program placing health professions students in rural communities.
• Results: Of graduating participants, 71% practice in South Dakota with 30% of those graduates practicing in rural communities with populations fewer than 10,000, or veteran facilities.

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