FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 4, 2011

CONTACT: Emily Kiel at 605-773-3165

South Dakota Receives $600,000 to Enhance Prevention Strategies for Behavioral Health Services

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Social Services has received $600,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to enhance prevention strategies to minimize the use of substance abuse and mental illness treatment services in South Dakota.

“Preventing substance abuse and mental illness is a key part of keeping South Dakotans healthy,” said Kim Malsam-Rysdon, secretary of the Department of Social Services. “Prevention works and we look forward to continuing to partner with communities across the state to develop local strategies that work.”

South Dakota received the highest amount that could be received through this grant application from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA granted 46 awards for a total of $22.5 million over the next year to help states, tribes and territories enhance behavioral health efforts.

“We know it is important to reach young people before they become involved with alcohol or drugs and to intervene early if a person has behavioral health needs,” said Malsam-Rysdon. “This grant allows us to develop a statewide plan in partnership with local community efforts.”

South Dakota will continue to work to strengthen and enhance the current prevention infrastructure to support more strategic, comprehensive systems of community-oriented care and assure that behavioral health plays an essential role in responding to the rapidly evolving health care delivery system.

To learn more about community behavioral health services available in South Dakota, please visit http://dss.sd.gov/behavioralhealthservices/community/index.asp. For more information, please contact Emily Kiel, DSS Communications Director at 605-773-3165 or Emily.Kiel@state.sd.us.

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