Pamela Bennett

The South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Child Protection Services, presents its Annual Progress and Services Report for State Fiscal Year 2026. This report updates on the 2025-2029 Child and Family Services Plan, detailing progress in improving child safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes. It covers enhancements in collaboration, quality assurance, information systems, case review processes, and staff training, with a focus on kinship support, parental engagement, and child maltreatment prevention.

The meeting addressed the approval of the proposed agenda and the financial report as of October 31, 2025. The Board moved into and out of executive session, after which several actions were taken regarding complaints, including accepting a proposed Settlement Agreement and ordering resolution in one case, and dismissing four other complaints. The Board adopted findings related to an application for Licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Updates were provided concerning the Counseling Compact, confirming that criminal background checks would commence on January 1, 2026, and sharing information about compact eligible licensees was anticipated by July 1, 2026. The Board also addressed the Association of Marital & Family Therapy Regulatory Boards Annual Meeting. New officers were elected for the upcoming year, and the proposed 2026 meeting schedule was adopted. The Board acknowledged the end of Tiffany Butler's final term and discussed open appointment positions, supervisor email clarification, and national meetings for 2026. A Department update was provided before adjournment.

The Board of Directors meeting included discussions and decisions on various topics. The agenda was amended to include a letter about the USD Addiction Studies program and to revise an item concerning requests for non-standard application to the rules. The board moved into and out of executive session. Decisions were made regarding settlement agreements and findings of facts in specific cases. The board also addressed internal operating procedures related to complaints. The board discussed requests related to Kira Hall, Kerry Koerselman-Griess, Donna Aldridge, Natalie Storm, Robin Duncan, Amanda Woolridge, and Rita Hanson. The board also discussed the USD Addiction Studies coursework and its alignment with LPC coursework requirements. The board discussed supervision requirements. The board considered proposed legislation for 2015 and discussed attendance at the NBCC meeting in August. Finally, the board considered dates for the next meeting.

The meeting was a closed meeting pursuant to SDCL 36-32-27.

The Board of Directors meeting included discussions on various topics, such as a case that was not pursued due to confidentiality issues, rewording a settlement agreement to a private reprimand, and the topic of unlicensed "Life Coaches" in SD. The board addressed requests related to psychopharmacology courses and LPC applications. Proposed draft Administrative Rules were reviewed, and the board re-elected the president and vice president. The board also reviewed a list of individuals to fill upcoming board vacancies and was informed about the AASCB meeting. Additionally, the board discussed data collection, financials, new licensees, highlights from the NBCC meeting, and follow-up actions for the licensee survey.