New county welfare program showing results
An assistance program created in 2023 by the Codington County Welfare Department staff is showing results.
Welfare Director Sara Foust and staff members Paige Welling and Kari Kraayanbrink updated county commissioners on the IMPACT Program during Tuesday’s commission meeting. IMPACT (Individuals Making Positive Actions Can Thrive) is designed to guide people with legal, substance abuse or mental issues to community resources that can positively redirect their lives.
There would be no IMPACT without the new County Health Worker program in South Dakota. Planning for the CHW program began in 2015 and the first county programs were launched in 2022. CHWs are frontline public health workers who can bridge the gap between communities and available health and social service systems.
Foust said IMPACT was first planned to be a diversion program aimed at those incarcerated at the Codington County Detention Center (CCDC).
“Then things evolved and changed and we decided to expand our population,” she explained. “We looked at the high utilizers (of county programs) who fall through the cracks. We realized there’s a group of people who need assistance. Paige has been doing a fantastic job with the program.”
One case was a very heavy drinker with alcoholic dementia and a prosthetic leg. He no longer had contact with his 2 sons and, due to his drinking, had no communication with other family members. Welling called 24 assisted living facilities, trying to find a place for him to reside. Representatives of 2 facilities met with him and one accepted him, but before he was taken there another binge drinking episode landed him in a hospital emergency room for detoxification. The facility then denied his admittance for failing to be sober for at least 60 days.
Welling assisted him during detox, and he was eventually transported to a Sioux Falls homeless shelter. After a week of recovery, he contacted Welling and thanked her and the Welfare staff for their assistance and the resources provided.
Another client, a woman with diabetes, worked with Welling for 7 months before finding permanent housing in Watertown.
The salaries of both Welling and Kraayanbrink are funded through grants. Kraayanbrink splits time between attending Lake Area Technical College and assisting at the Welfare office. She’ll receive her county health worker (CHW) degree in mid-December, potentially expanding the IMPACT Program.
Foust has had discussions with Matt Blackwelder, county chief corrections officer, about bringing IMPACT into the CCDC. Initial assistance would be directed at those who have committed less serious crimes.
During her monthly report, Foust also said she plans to cancel the county’s contract with the Interlakes Community Action Program due to work of Paige and Kraayanbrink.
Tuesday’s meeting opened with discussion on the county’s 5-year highway and transportation plan. Highway Superintendent Rick Hartley said the county has received federal funding for the 14th Avenue NW bridge and the County Highway 11 bridge. The funding will cover a portion of the replacement costs, and Hartley said it might be 3 to 5 years before construction begins.
Dan Thyen, a Waverly Township official, had questions regarding applying for state funds. He was told his township needed a 5-year plan before submitting an application, which must be filed by Oct. 31.
Thyen said one bridge in his township has been closed for 10 years and requires a 5-mile detour to reach a small plot of land.
Veterans Service Officer Todd Rose told commissioners his staff and veterans are enjoying his office’s new location at 101 19th St. NE. The county started leasing the property Sept. 1.
Rose also recently learned from Veterans Administration officials in Sioux Falls that his office transports more veterans and covers more miles than any other office in the Sioux Falls VA territory.
Actions taken by commissioners included:
• Noting that the county’s 2024 provisional budget will be adopted next week. Commissioner Myron Johnson said the commission must take a “good, long look at non-mandated” items in the budget. Commissioner Charlie Johnson noted that more than 90% of the budget was mandated by state laws.
• Approving the declaration of a 2016 law enforcement vehicle as surplus for the purpose of trading. The 2016 sport utility vehicle has accumulated 156,000 miles. The $4,000 received for the vehicle will be used against the cost of a new pickup. Sheriff Brad Howell said another vehicle ordered last December also arrived. Two more Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles will be ordered in 2024.
• Approving the first reading of amending county ordinance 82, which deals with conditional uses for contractor-owned offices, shops and yards.
• Noting the 2023 Safety Awards Luncheon Sept. 13 in Sioux Falls that both the county Highway and Maintenance Departments received Platinum Awards for safety and loss control. It was the 12th time that each department has earned the highest award. Only Brookings County (14) and Edmunds County (13) have more. The luncheon is sponsored by the South Dakota Municipal League and the South Dakota Public Assurance Alliance.
• Noting the deaths of former county employees Steve Coyle, Heine Junge, Larry Merchant and Donnie Olson. Junge served as superintendent of the Highway Department.
• Approving of plat resolutions for the Fransen Third Addition and the Zemlicka Second Addition, both in Waverly Township. Both plats had previously been approved by the county Planning and Zoning Board.
• Approving the declaration of office equipment in the Sheriff’s Office as surplus to be destroyed.
• Approving the declaration of 5 credit card machines in the Treasurer’s Office as surplus to be destroyed.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: New county welfare program showing results
