South Dakota Parent Connection

09/20/2025

🏃‍♀️ Young Athletes Fall Session – Join the Fun! 🏃‍♂️

Do you have a child ages 2–7? The 2025 Young Athletes Fall Session is the perfect chance for kids to play, grow, and make new friends!

📅 When: Tuesdays – October 7, 14, 21, 28 and November 4, 11, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Where: Special Olympics South Dakota Unify Center (900 E I-90 Lane, Sioux Falls, SD)
💲 Cost: FREE!

👨‍👩‍👧 An adult is required to join and chaperone. Children without disabilities of similar ages are also welcome to join as Unified Partners.

✨ This program is hosted by helps children build skills, confidence, and friendships in a safe and supportive environment.

🗓️ Register by September 30, 2025!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJ3lkrpcWendPRPDoj2BuSpd5qwDyAggTBzlDTUXehMWEOfA/viewform?pli=1

Brought to you by Special Olympics Young Athletes and Fun & Friends.

09/10/2025

We are going to be there, are you?

We’re incredibly grateful to all of our amazing sponsors for supporting our upcoming Center for Disabilities' Run, Walk & Roll event!

This year, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on as we raise awareness and promote inclusion. Our team is counting down the days to an unforgettable day of fun, community, and connection.

Join us on September 20 at Elmwood Park—everyone is welcome!

Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/SD/SiouxFalls/CenterforDisabilitiesRunWalkRoll?fbclid=IwY2xjawMtHP5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6SFlibFM3MWlqYk4zeEdlAR5gJ0LCFdAd6EX1P1QMXVYN7GopBJUyuyZYCewPJNE2743qO63tUW5FRHvFIQ_aem_wha0CUM7rOIBrflJbN7OsQ

09/08/2025

📚 Community & Family Services Course – Sign Up Today! 📚

Do you care for a child age five or younger? This course is for you! Parents, grandparents, babysitters, and childcare providers are all welcome.

In this course, you will learn how to:
✔ Build a home or classroom full of reading and language activities
✔ Use a child’s interests to build early literacy skills
✔ Support children’s social and emotional growth through communication
✔ Strengthen teamwork between families and childcare providers

📅 Course Dates:

Start the online, self-paced lessons on October 20, 2025
Join the live Zoom session on November 18, 2025, 6–8 pm MT / 7–9 pm CT

🎓 Participants who finish the course will receive:
- A certificate for 6 hours
- A $100 stipend (South Dakota residents)
- An extra $25 bonus if providers attend with a child’s family member

This is a great way to get ready for school success and strengthen family partnerships.

👉 Sign up today and make a difference for the children in your life! https://bhssc.pdx.catalog.canvaslms.com/browse/cfs/courses/early-literacy-for-providers-and-families-nov-18-2025?utm_campaign=21748393-CFS%20Newsletters&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9cb7jDWIcanf6CN7Ud3F8jWFOgp1QyCFVHdMhiJ4zgvCGNq1CfWmqHgk3rf0Q3hjFYd_6kUNYeWciJdo7qLQ6RbA3Kzg&_hsmi=378883720&utm_content=378883720&utm_source=hs_email

09/06/2025

Dr. Carla Miller, our executive director is available today at the Transition-to-Adulthood Resource Fair today. Betsy Drew is busy presenting information to all those who attended.

09/04/2025

💙 Parents in Southeastern South Dakota – Here’s a chance for your family! 💙

From September 2025 through April 2026, families of children with disabilities can join the USD LEND Program. Families are matched with future professionals, giving you the chance to:
✔ Share your story and experiences
✔ Teach future providers what real life looks like for families like yours
✔ Build connections and feel heard
✔ Know you are making a difference for other families in the future

Many parents say being part of this program is rewarding—not only do professionals learn, but families often feel supported and valued too.

🌟 Want to join this meaningful experience? Learn more here: https://sdparent.org/news/providing-professionals-real-life-family-experiences/

09/03/2025

Hey Parents! 📣

We want to tell you about a special event in Sioux Falls on September 22–23, 2025. It’s the Community Action for Veterans Conference at the Denny Sanford Premier Center! South Dakota Parent Connection Executive Director, Dr. Carla Miller, will be presenting on "Supporting Military Families of Children with Disabilities".

This event is all about helping veterans, military families, and the people who support them. It is a two-day conference where people like social workers, healthcare helpers, teachers, and nonprofit leaders learn how to serve military families—especially in small towns.

What will happen there:
- Learning sessions on mental health, rural challenges, and military family caregiving.
- A Veterans Assistance Expo where veterans can talk directly with VA staff and get help or information they need.

This is a great chance to learn more about how to help military families—and meet others who care just as much. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or helper in your community—this is for you!

📅 Dates: September 22–23, 2025
📍 Location: Sioux Falls, SD

🔗 More information and registration: sdvets.org/community-action-for-veterans-conference

We look forward to seeing you at this important event.

09/03/2025

Since its creation in 1995, the Buddy Walk® has grown into the nation’s leading awareness and advocacy event for the Down syndrome community. What began as a single walk has become a worldwide movement, recognized as a symbol of inclusion and celebration. Each year, Buddy Walks across the country...

09/03/2025

🎓 Do you have a teen with a disability getting ready for life after high school?

Join us at the Transition Fair in Sioux Falls!
📅 Saturday, September 6, 2025
🕘 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Instructional Planning Center, 201 E. 38th St, Sioux Falls, SD

Parents and students can learn about:
✅ Jobs
✅ College
✅ Health care
✅ Money skills
✅ And more!

You’ll meet people who can help your child make a great plan for their future.

🎟️ It’s free—but you need to register!
👉 Sign up here: https://sdparent.org/event/transition-to-adulthood-fair/

📞 Have questions? Call us at (605) 626-8333

Let’s help your child get ready for what’s next! 💪

09/01/2025

📣 Labor Day Office Closure

Our office will be closed on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1) so our team can enjoy time with their families. ❤️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

We’ll be back and ready to help you on Tuesday, Sept. 2
🕘 Open hours:
👉 9 AM – 5 PM CT
👉 8 AM – 4 PM MT

While we’re away, feel free to:
🌐 Visit our website: www.sdparent.org

📞 Leave us a message: (605) 361-3171

We’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Thanks for your understanding—and have a safe and happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

09/01/2025

🎉 Hey parents in and around Aberdeen, SD!

Looking for something helpful (and free!) to do on Friday, September 5th? Come to the Aberdeen Area Community Resource Fair!

This event is all about YOU and your family. You’ll find:
✅ Helpful info and services
✅ Local resources for families
✅ Friendly people to talk to
✅ A chance to meet other parents

It’s a great way to learn more about what’s out there to support your kids and your home life. 💬👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

📍 Where: Engels Event Co. – 209 S. Main St, Aberdeen
🕒 When: 3:00–7:00 PM

💻 Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4nCZ0B4

We hope to see you there!

08/30/2025

WOW! What a week!!!!

Our staff enjoyed this year's Conference on Developmental Disabilities in Sioux Falls, we learned so much in the breakout sessions and hope that we provided everyone who stopped by our booth new information to bring back with them. 💪

Our Board member, Myriah Ventura, was honored to provide Joy Ranch with their well deserved Innovation Award. ✨