Early Childhood provides children with a learning environment and varied experiences to help them develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development. Early Childhood provides pre-school activities for 3 and 4 year-old children while encouraging parent participation in all aspects of the program. Early Childhood Programs are offered at a variety of elementary schools in the district. Screenings provide an opportunity to find out more about your young child and his/her development, screenings include: Large muscle development Eye-hand coordination Communication Cognition Vision and hearing Height and weight During screening appointments, children stack small blocks, name colors, jump and hop, cut with scissors, look at pictures, answer questions, and have fun completing other activities. Children birth to 5 are eligible for screening. Infants/toddlers are screened in their homes. Parents will meet with a staff person to discuss options for their child in district early childhood programs.

Provides the following services on the road to a life of purpose and possibilities: residential services, employment discovery, supported employment, community life engagement, client benefits management, nursing/coordination of medial services, special education/transition services, and behavior support services.

Provides assistance in the education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) offering support and consultative services to homes, daycares, and schools. Children in South Dakota who have been professionally identified as DHH may be eligible for services. These services include: information on hearing level, assistive technology, language development, and communication opportunities; participation in the development of an individualized Family Service Plan; communication choice support of sign language skills/or training to facilitate listening and spoken language; demonstration of the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM/DM systems, or other forms of listening technology; collaboration with other service providers; and social opportunities and networking for the Deaf community, as well as connecting families raising children who are DHH.

Special education staff, psychologists, and early intervention staff are housed here for the Rapid City School District.

Loving School at Sioux Falls Children's Home and Owen School at Black Hills Children's Home serves students ages 4-14, in grades PreK through 8th grade, including children in the Sioux Falls and Black Hills Residential Treatment Program. Specializes in meeting educational needs relating to childhood trauma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reactive attachment disorder, abuse and neglect, anxiety disorder, aggression, and parent-child challenges. Students receive individual and group therapy weekly and have access to medical care and psychiatric services, as needed. A student does not need an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to be enrolled in Children's Home Society schools. If a student does have an IEP, the IEP is implemented and managed by Loving School staff or Owen School staff. Each student's treatment team meets quarterly to share progress and monitor treatment goals. Occupational Therapy and Speech/Language services are available as prescribed by an IEP.

A non-profit education co-op created by South Dakota public schools. Specializes in alternative education, special education programming, education-related therapy and supported transition services Teachwell Transitions - Helps individuals with disabilities navigate life changes with confidence. It prepares students for life after high school and help young adults in their search for meaningful employment. The team of special education professionals, counselors and success coaches work with community partners to create a supportive environment that helps each person succeed. Teachwell Therapy Services - Experienced team of professional therapy providers, providing schools and families with a powerful resource to address a wide range of individual learning needs. Provides the following - Speech-Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, School Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy, and Assistive Technology Consultation and Services.

Serving families of children with disabilities and special health needs for 40 years; services include individual assistance, connection to programs at the local, state and national level, and helps parents and schools navigate the special education process. Staff also deliver workshops in-person for groups upon request. Willing to work with parents and professionals to develop and deliver training based on the needs of the group. Workshops/presentations are delivered at no cost to parents. A nominal fee structure is in place for delivery to professional groups.

Provides services and supports to children and adults with developmental disabilities by providing support, skills, and encouragement needed to achieve hopeful and successful futures. Services provided to program participants include special education, adult day programs, vocational programs, home-based instruction, residential living facilities, consultations, psychiatric services, medication management, counseling, and transition program.

Sesdac provides services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Services include day services, transition services, employment supports, residential services, and educational services.

Services are available for boys and girls, ages 4-14 years old, who exhibit emotional disorders and/or behavioral problems. The average length of diagnostic assessment period is thirty days. The average length of stay for residential treatment is twelve to fourteen months. The Special Education School Program specializes in the education and treatment of children with emotional and behavioral disorders. Initial assessment includes psychiatric evaluation, physical exam, nursing assessment, educational testing, family/social assessment, trauma assessment, and speech/language screening.

Serving families of children with disabilities and special health needs for 40 years; services include individual assistance, connection to programs at the local, state and national level, and helps parents and schools navigate the special education process. Staff also deliver workshops in-person for groups upon request. Willing to work with parents and professionals to develop and deliver training based on the needs of the group. Workshops/presentations are delivered at no cost to parents. A nominal fee structure is in place for delivery to professional groups.

Provides museum exhibits connecting attendees with the people, cultures, and science behind the Black Hills and prairies of Western South Dakota from prehistoric encounters and Native American heritage to pioneer tales and spaceflight. Includes cultural artifacts and interactive experiences. Also offers online education material for children, audio guided tours of the museum, educational field trips, and summer camps.

Serving families of children with disabilities and special health needs for 40 years; services include individual assistance, connection to programs at the local, state and national level, and helps parents and schools navigate the special education process. Staff also deliver workshops in-person for groups upon request. Willing to work with parents and professionals to develop and deliver training based on the needs of the group. Workshops/presentations are delivered at no cost to parents. A nominal fee structure is in place for delivery to professional groups.

Loving School at Sioux Falls Children's Home and Owen School at Black Hills Children's Home serves students ages 4-14, in grades PreK through 8th grade, including children in the Sioux Falls and Black Hills Residential Treatment Program. Specializes in meeting educational needs relating to childhood trauma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reactive attachment disorder, abuse and neglect, anxiety disorder, aggression, and parent-child challenges. Students receive individual and group therapy weekly and have access to medical care and psychiatric services, as needed. A student does not need an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to be enrolled in Children's Home Society schools. If a student does have an IEP, the IEP is implemented and managed by Loving School staff or Owen School staff. Each student's treatment team meets quarterly to share progress and monitor treatment goals. Occupational Therapy and Speech/Language services are available as prescribed by an IEP.

Emphasis is placed on high quality services that are flexible, creative, innovative and orientated toward practical and useful life skills. Services include semi-independent supervised apartments, group residence, independent home-based services-monitoring/support, educational services, service coordination, nursing services, alternative services, prevocational services, and integrated vocational services-job development.