South Dakota is a very rural state and victims can easily live an hour away from the nearest shelter or victim assistance program.  Serving victims in the rural areas is a challenge.  While training is provided to VOCA funded programs about the Crime Victims' Compensation program, staff turnover is also a problem when it comes to programs having correct information and understanding the qualifications for the victim compensation benefits and eligibility.  Most programs are not able to compete in the job market and thus there tends to be high turnover within advocates in the programs.

The South Dakota Department of Social Services provides training for VOCA funded programs biennially.  In addition, the South Dakota Department of Social Services provides training one the opposite years that is open to all direct services provides and law enforcement in the state.  These trainings include topics related to outreach, working with diverse populations, and underserved victims.  The South Dakota Department of Social Services also funds an association that provides ongoing training to many victim services programs including a minimum of four workshops each year as well as technical assistance for programs.  This technical assistance is provided in addition to that already available through the South Dakota Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.  

VOCA funds are awarded to programs throughout the state, including programs on reservations.  There are currently 7 programs funded on reservations (6 shelter programs and one Victim Witness Assistance program).  In addition, there are three programs funded that are just a couple of miles off of reservation land but primarily serve victims from reservations.  Programs throughout the state coordinate together to move victims to safe locations.  This sometimes means a program on a reservation will contact a program not on the reservation and make arrangements to move the victim to a different location.

The South Dakota Department of Social Services held a one day "Grants Management" workshop for all VOCA subgrantees to attend.  In addition the department contracts with a site consultant to conduct 26 on-site visits to programs each year.  In addition to reviewing the programmatic operations, on-site visits can also consist of technical training, especially in the event of new Executive Directors.  This year all programs were also requested to complete a desk review questionnaire which not only helped to identify training an technical assistance needs but also assists the concultant when she does her on-site visits.

*Two young girls reported sexual abuse to their mother.  The mother went to the shelter with her daughters because the perpetrator is living in the home.  The shelter reported it and the woman and children remained in the shelter.  The perpetrator is now in jail awaiting trial.  





*A young woman received shelter services for herself and her infant.  During the intake, she told the shelter staff that she had been in the audience of a presentation earlier in the year.  Because of that information, she was able to recognize her partner?s escalating violence and was able to leave before any serious injury to herself of her child. While in shelter, shelter staff assisted her in getting a protection order, getting it served, and subsequently he was arrested.





*A woman who was a client of a shelter had been brutally raped and beaten.  She has been receiving services since that time to help her with medical appointments, food, protection orders, and counseling referrals.  Last month the perpetrator was sentenced to 20 years in prison.





*A member of --- went out on a crisis call from the ER.  The victim was a young girl, age 13.  She was assaulted by an older man, who got her drunk and raped her.  The advocate stayed with her and her family throughout the exam.  They will continue to help her and her family with services for the victims of crime.  They helped mom fill out the Crime Victims Compensation application so she can get the counseling her daughter will need.  She will also be offered the counseling services provided by the shelter in between visits with her other counselor.





Letter from a victim:


"--- and it's staff had been a complete God send.  I know without them and their ability to help, I wouldn't be as far as I am with my kids.  They have provided me with a safe place to stay, helping out with ideas to try to get help from the community.  --- was also able to help me with my first month's rent and deposit to get us into a place of our own.  They were able to help with belongings to get us started in our new place.  I truly am grateful for ---, it's staff and the wonderful people who donate to such a wonderful cause.  Words can not explain my gratitude."

With funding cuts and the economy, many programs are seeing budget cuts which include reducing the number of staff.  Small programs are eliminating entire positions, leaving just a couple of staff to manage the program.  The biggest concern expressed by programs this year has been the need for additional funding in order to continue to meet the needs of victims and not have to reduce the services provided.  Rural outreach has been especially affected because of the high gas prices.  "Not enough funding" seems to be the most common complaint among programs this year.

The administrative funds have been used for portions of salaries for the Program Manager and Program Assistant.  Administrative funds have also assisted the Program Manager to attend national meetings as well as travel to local programs.