The Center for Disabilities of SD

02/26/2026

Have you registered yet?

The Center for Rural Health Improvement at the University of South Dakota’s Sanford School of Medicine invites you to attend our Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Trainings:

Friday, May 1, 2026
The Monument Convention Center (444 Mt. Rushmore Rd N.)”
Rapid City, SD
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM MT
Registration Due by April 20th

Thursday, May 14, 2026
USD Sanford School of Medicine’s Health Science Center (1400 W 22nd St.)
Sioux Falls, SD
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Registration Due by May 1st

Use this one link to register for either training. https://southdakota.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9yt1zMV24ycWZca?fbclid=IwY2xjawQNWO1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJLZkRpVE1nMjRSbzlheFV4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgN12NXJbMwbwLd8lJZvFIsCxfGocB-K5oN2X8faE4pF9xGuNeDTQPPwf7QA_aem_dc4_OW4iHlrDTfptcAfSVg

These free trainings will feature expert speakers with sessions primarily designed for physicians, medical learners, students, and healthcare professionals, especially for those working in a rural setting. While the content is medically and clinically focused, the trainings are open to anyone interested in learning more about opioid use disorder, substance use, and treatment and care management.

Free Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available for both. Up to eight hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits will be for the Rapid City training. An application for CME credits is pending for Sioux Falls.

*Students: Opportunity to practice with a simulated patient clinical experience from 1 - 5pm in Sioux Falls training. Pre-Registration required.

This training is funded in part by a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Provider’s Clinical Support System–Universities Grant.

For questions, contact crhi@usd.edu or (605) 357‑1561.

02/25/2026

Attending the 2026 South Dakota SPED Conference? Don’t Miss This!

If you’re joining us at the South Dakota SPED Conference, plan to join us Next Wednesday with a Brain Injury ECHO session:
- Healing Brains, Helping Students: A Guide to Return to Learn and Play After a Brain Injury
- Wednesday, March 4, 2026
- Noon (Central) — note the early breakout session start time!
- Room 1/2, Sioux Falls Convention Center

This session will explore:
• Common effects of brain injury that impact a student’s ability to return to learning and play
• Key considerations when a student is reintegrating into school
• Strategies to support coordinated, team-based return-to-learn and return-to-play plans

We’ll also highlight BEAM-SD (https://beam-sd.org/), a statewide initiative supporting educational professionals, primary care providers, and behavioral health professionals in treating and managing behavioral health needs for children and adolescents (0–21).

However you support students, this session will provide practical guidance you can use right away.

Not attending the conference this year? You can still join the live ECHO session virtually! Register here: https://iecho.org/public/program/PRGM1756493301891SN62WGO9T1

We hope to see you there, in person or online!

02/24/2026

Looking for a fun and entertaining night out with the family? Want to support the USD Center for Disabilities at the same time? Here’s your chance!

We’re excited to partner with the Sioux Falls Stampede for their Nonprofit Night on March 20 at 7:05 p.m. Come cheer on the Sioux Falls Stampede as they take on the Sioux City Musketeers!

When you purchase tickets through the link below, $5 from every ticket will be donated directly back to the USD Center for Disabilities.

Bring your friends. Invite your coworkers. Gather your family. Enjoy a great night of hockey while supporting a meaningful cause!

Please share to help us spread the word and pack the arena for a great cause!

Get your tickets here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/USDCenterForDisabilitiesMar20

Sioux Falls Stampede Hockey Club

02/24/2026

Happy Disability Awareness Day at the South Dakota Capitol!

Our Sam Duncan and Elizabeth Hassenplug are there representing our mission and advocating for inclusion, access, and opportunity for all. Be sure to stop by, say “Hi,” and learn more about how we’re working to strengthen and empower the disability community across South Dakota.

Let’s make our voices heard and celebrate the power of advocacy together! 

02/23/2026

Sneak Peek!

The Center for Disabilities is a proud sponsor of this exciting tactile experience in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota. Together with the Washington Pavilion, they are bringing Seven Art Movements to our community in a way that expands access and invites everyone to experience art through touch.

Explore the artistic evolution of seven of history’s most influential art movements through tactile imagery and thoughtful design. Featuring works inspired by masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer, and Vincent van Gogh, this exhibit journeys through:

• The Renaissance
• The Baroque
• Neo-classicism
• Impressionism
• Post-impressionism
• Art Nouveau
• Expressionism

Presented in chronological order beginning in the 16th century, this exhibition highlights the evolution of subject matter, craftsmanship, and artistic style across time.

March 1 to May 30, 2026
Free and open to the public

Come experience art in a whole new way.

02/19/2026

Check out this program opportunity for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, ages 2 through 5th grade, to see and hang out with others who are just like them. Learn more below.

This program is an opportunity for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, ages 2 through 5th grade to see and hang out with others who are just like them. Classrooms are led by Teachers of the Deaf with support from support staff with Deaf and Hard of hearing experience.

SDSD is thrilled to share registration is open for our Hands in Motion Summer Program! Register here: https://forms.gle/VrNKQTZFgmzV5vqFA

The program will run from July 6 – July 31, Mondays through Fridays, 8:30-11:30 in Sioux Falls at John Harris Elementary. Your child does not have to attend the whole month – sign up for whatever works for their summer schedules.

This program is an opportunity for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, ages 2 through 5th grade, to see and hang out with others who are just like them. Classrooms are led by Teachers of the Deaf with support from support staff with Deaf and Hard of Hearing experience.

Research shows that programs like this are important because they give students the chance to meet peers who communicate like them, helping them feel a sense of belonging and pride in who they are. Seeing other children who are D/HH and adults helps them build a strong self-identity and understand that they are not alone.

If your child is older, we welcome teens to volunteer to be that role model for the students. Reach out if your teen would be interested in volunteering for a day.

Reach out with any questions! Looking forward to another great summer!

02/18/2026

Our own Nikk Eining presented today at the Stronger Together: A Day for Su***de Prevention event in Brookings, South Dakota.

Her session focused on Trauma-Informed Care and the importance of creating environments that recognize the impact of trauma, promote safety, and foster healing.

We are proud to see this important work being shared in our communities and grateful to be part of conversations that strengthen support systems for all.

02/18/2026

Who will be at Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol next week? We will be! Make sure to stop by and say "Hi".

02/18/2026

Our own Ryan Groeneweg joined a powerful panel discussion yesterday alongside Vicki Kerkvliet Stewart, Angela Johnson Schoffelman, and Nichelle Lund.

A heartfelt thank you to Angela Drake and SME Sioux Falls for creating space for this important conversation.

Creating space to openly talk about disability is how change begins. By working together, we can break down barriers and shape workplaces that are accessible, inclusive, and stronger for everyone.

02/17/2026

Looking for a fun and entertaining night out with the family? Want to support the USD Center for Disabilities at the same time? Here’s your chance!

We’re excited to partner with the Sioux Falls Stampede for their Nonprofit Night on March 20 at 7:05 p.m. Come cheer on the Sioux Falls Stampede as they take on the Sioux City Musketeers!

When you purchase tickets through the link below, $5 from every ticket will be donated directly back to the USD Center for Disabilities.

Bring your friends. Invite your coworkers. Gather your family. Enjoy a great night of hockey while supporting a meaningful cause!

Please share to help us spread the word and pack the arena for a great cause!

Get your tickets here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/USDCenterForDisabilitiesMar20

Sioux Falls Stampede Hockey Club

02/17/2026

Have you signed up for this yet? Tonight is the first evening to join!

South Dakota Parent Connection is excited to launch Families Together, a statewide virtual support group for parents and guardians of children and young adults with disabilities.

Each monthly session includes a short topic-based training followed by discussion and shared support from other parents across South Dakota.

🗓 Date: Third Tuesday of each month, beginning February 17, 2026
Time: 7:00-8:00 CT / 6:00-7:00 MT
📌 February Topic: Understanding the IEP Process
📧 Send IEP questions to kristau@sdparent.org

🔗 Sign up here: https://sdparent.org/event/families-together-support-group/