January 17, 2023
Welcome to 2023! With the New Year underway, we are already off to a busy start.
First up, the return of MallWalk to the Empire Mall! Yes, you read that right, it means we are back! As you might remember, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the LifeScape Ambassador’s to turn MallWalk into a cyber event the last two years. In a few short weeks, we will be able to see all your smiling faces as we gather for MallWalk on Saturday, February 4th.
To learn more, start a team, or to make a donation for the 29th annual MallWalk Walk ‘n’ Roll for LifeScape, simply click here.
January also means the start of the new legislative session in Pierre. The majority of our funding comes from the state Medicaid program, and this is the time additional funding for the new fiscal year will be determined. We have funding asks in all areas of our children’s and adult’s services. One of the key services is autism. The number of children diagnosed with Autism, who are waiting to get Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA, has grown exponentially by over 50% this year with 492 families on our waitlist for autism services.
As the largest of a limited number of Medicaid based ABA providers in South Dakota, we rely heavily on state funding to provide ABA services. The lack of funding and surge in Autism diagnosis have created the perfect storm. With hundreds of families frustrated about not being able to get their children the help they need, when they need, we are asking and empowering you all to speak up.
Throughout the legislative session, I will be in Pierre asking our legislators for funding for both adult and children’s services. This year we are asking for support of nearly five million dollars that would support families who currently use / or need ABA services, our Children’s Residential program, Children’s Specialty Hospital, and money that will go directly into compensation for our Nurses to help with the shortage impacting every health organization across the country.
So how can you help us help you? Call, e-mail, or send a letter to your elected leaders. We’ve made it easy for you to find their contact information as well, just click here and follow the instructions. Take a moment to tell them your story and then ask them to support LifeScape’s budget asks. On behalf of the LifeScape family, I want to personally thank you for your assistance in helping legislators know and understand how important LifeScape services are to the families of South Dakota.
Given the legislative session ends in early March, now is the time to take action. Thank you!
October 11, 2022
Despite the ongoing concern of COVID, our lives are slowly getting back to normal. Relief is found in routine, routines we’ve been without ever since the pandemic began. As we hit the final months of 2022, let’s look back at the normalcies that have returned. Trent River, Swan Lake, kickball, Canaries, and so much more! Needless to say, the adults and children supported by LifeScape had a busy summer!
It’s easy to forget how meaningful these types of events and activities can have not only on the people we support, but to our mission, our employees, and our LifeScape volunteers. They bring new life into everyone who has been feeling the loneliness the past few years have brought us. The simple act of riding a tractor, going fishing, visiting the zoo, playing baseball, getting creative at day services, are just a few of the activities possible thanks to the collaborative relationships we as a LifeScape family and the community rely and thrive on.
That being said, it takes a village to keep the funding flowing that allow us to keep our excellent services available to the many people dealing with developmental disabilities, medical complexities and more. As the end of the year approaches, we are already gearing up for the next legislative session in Pierre. Every year, we approach the South Dakota legislature and Governor for incremental funding. The vast majority of our Mission is funded from the state and determines our wages, benefits, and service capabilities.
You’ll notice wages is a crucial factor in that ask. The workforce crisis isn’t going away anytime soon, meaning there is a great need to describe and illustrate how dire the situation truly is and how it can impact the most vulnerable citizens of South Dakota. More to come on how we plan to approach those voted into office.
For now, we relish in the smiles, laughter, and joy the return to normalcy has brought.
June 12, 2022
Welcome back to LifeScape Live! As all things in our world move towards digital, we are pleased to provide you with this new and improved quarterly newsletter.
I want to start off by giving you an update on the 2022 Legislative Session. I spent about two months up in Pierre fighting for funding to keep LifeScape’s mission moving forward, but I couldn’t have done it without your help. To those of you who reached out to your South Dakota Representatives and Senators on behalf of LifeScape, thank you! Our combined efforts secured millions of dollars for our Adult and Children’s services. Know your help in this is truly appreciated.
One of the biggest struggles in our community right now is the work force crisis. The Sioux Falls Business Journal reported Sioux Falls had just over 3,000 unemployed, while having more than 18,000 open positions. This is a long-term challenge that anyone operating a business is facing. To combat this, you may have seen an increase in LifeScape Recruitment advertising speaking about the culture of working at LifeScape.
Finally, I’m happy to share with you that LifeScape Adult Services was accredited by the Council on Quality Leadership for another four years! This accreditation shows just how hard our team works on a daily basis to ensure people supported by LifeScape are being empowered to live their best life.
