South Dakota Focus

The child care crisis continues, and some advocates are looking to lawmakers for some kind of solution. While legislative leaders agree child care access is a workforce issue, they struggle with what can be done about it.

Legislative leaders agree that the ongoing child care crisis in South Dakota represents a significant workforce problem. Advocates are worried they lack a sense of urgency.

New technologies give researchers details on when parts of the brain develop: "The first year of life and then the first five years are really what we would refer to as very critical time periods for brain development."

Brain science is backing what early childhood educators have known for years: the earliest years of a child's life can have lifelong impacts on learning.

Advocates are working to make the justice system and school system safer for young people facing trauma.

When four teenagers were murdered at Gitchie Manitou in 1973, Sioux Falls high school students weren't given much support to deal with the trauma.

As South Dakota sees unprecedented unemployment and plenty of open jobs, some parents who would otherwise participate in the workforce are stepping away because they can't find or afford child care.

People are at increased risk of depression, anxiety and other mood disorders while pregnant or after giving birth. Jackie Hendry explores mental health and stigma.

Join Jackie Hendry as she hosts the South Dakota Focus Childcare Crisis Town Hall live from SDPB's Black Hills and Sioux Falls studios on Tuesday, October 3rd.

The season premiere of South Dakota Focus gives an overview of maternal healthcare in the state—from access challenges to telehealth and home-visit opportunities.