Healthy

• South Dakota Voices for Children has expanded mental health resources for South Dakota parents through a new Web site - www.sdkidsmentalhealth.org. Created to help foster children's mental health through a variety of resources, the site includes a video version of Voices' widely distributed A Parent's Guide to Children's Mental Health Services in South Dakota, an online Mental Health Directory where families can locate clinicians and agencies in their area, a listing of helpful books, and more. In addition, referral forms have been created to improve communication between mental health professionals and physicians referring young patients for evaluation and treatment.
• NAMI South Dakota recognized South Dakota Voices for Children for ongoing dedication in the mental health community in connection with its 2007 Heroes in the Fight event. Voices received the 2007 Professional Leadership Award from Yankton Area Mental Wellness, Inc.
• Voices secured expansion of the Children's Health Insurance (CHIP) program to include families up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level - and children leaving foster care until their 21st birthday
• Voices advocated for changes in state law that have reduced teen smoking.

• Now in its third year, Sioux Falls' Starting Strong pre-kindergarten pilot for at-risk children continues to earn high marks in annual evaluations by a researcher at the University of South Dakota. Statistically significant growth was reported for the 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled. The pilot, which is voluntary, market-based and parent-driven, is funded by the Governor's Future Fund, Sioux Empire United Way and Forward Sioux Falls. Over three years of the pilot, 205 3- and 4-year-olds in the Sioux Falls area who might otherwise be left behind will gain access to quality pre-k programs, which will better prepare them for success in school.
• Business-Civic Leadership Groups on Early Care and Education, convened with staff support from Voices, in Aberdeen, Brookings, the Northern Hills, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown and Yankton have made significant progress toward meeting local child care and early education needs. In some communities, quality pre-kindergarten programs have been expanded to include children whose parents would otherwise be unable to afford it.
• South Dakota Voices for Children was selected by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation to receive its 2008 Community Spirit Award in recognition of significant contributions to pre-kindergarten education in Sioux Falls

• South Dakota Voices for Children convened a Summit on Children in Poverty to identify cornerstones and develop recommendations combating childhood poverty. That work is detailed in the report, "A Common Good," which is at www.sdvoicesforchildren.org.
• Voices developed the Bridge to Benefits Web site (sdbridgetobenefits.org) as part of a multi-state initiative of the Children's Defense Fund. The site serves as a first step toward helping families and individuals out of poverty by linking them to information about tax credits and benefit programs.
• Voices for Children promotes an effective safety campaign designed to encourage seatbelt use by children and teens. Research established that parents who buckle up as a habit influence their children to do the same. Voices created a sticker for vehicle instrument panels, now in statewide distribution, to remind families to buckle up.
• Voices continues to advocate in the state Legislature and to the public concerning the use of booster seats for children ages 5 to 8.
• Voices for Children was instrumental in helping South Dakota come into compliance with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, which makes South Dakota eligible for nearly $700,000 in federal funding each year and encourages best practices for children in the juvenile justice system.
• Voices advocates for safe practices when dealing with children who must be detained by the court.
• Voices initiated the Tribal Juvenile Justice Advisory Group that includes representatives from the state's nine tribes, which now advises the Governor's Council of Juvenile Services and annually publishes an updated South Dakota Tribal Juvenile Justice Directory.
• Voices' Juvenile Justice Guidebook for Youth and Parents is the first of its kind to help court-involved youth and their parents understand and navigate the juvenile justice system. Widely used and distributed, it is now in its third printing.