South Dakota Focus

Join SDPB for a follow-up discussion to the child care crisis the entire state faces.

SD Focus host Jackie Hendry and producer Krystal Schoenbauer will host a discussion on tourism Wednesday, May 15th at Lost Cabin Beer Co. - Hill City Beer Garden

South Dakota has more children in foster care than foster families licensed to care for them. Two young women who aged out of the foster system share their stories, and two current foster families talk about the dire need.

The effects of child trauma coupled with recent changes in state juvenile justice policy have left some families to fall through the cracks. For others, juvenile diversion programs offer a second chance to stay out of the juvenile justice system altogether.

State officials say South Dakota is in need of more people to help foster children. South Dakota Focus spoke to two families about the system, the challenges and what it will take to get more people involved.

SDPB employees Jackie Hendry and Krystal Schoenbauer were awarded the Citizens Award from the SDAEYC (South Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children).

SDPB's Jackie Hendry steps into the studio to preview her reporting in the latest episode of "South Dakota Focus" on juvenile justice and trauma.

Diversion programs can help low-offending juveniles avoid getting entangled in the criminal justice system. Lawmakers recently upped the reimbursement rate to counties for these programs, but not every community has the same resources.

While the legislature works to address teacher pay, some programs work to find future teachers among South Dakota's current high school students.

While the Legislature works to address teacher pay, groups like Educators Rising tap current students to consider a future career in education.