South Dakota Department of Health announces grant opportunity for skilled nursing and long-term care facilities

PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Department of Health Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification announced Wednesday that it is providing a grant opportunity to support skilled nursing and long-term care facilities in enhancing their infection prevention infrastructure necessary to support resident, visitor and facility healthcare personnel safety.

Additionally, the funding will support recruitment and retention opportunities for skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities and assisted living centers in South Dakota.

“The Department of Health recognizes the challenges our partners face in long-term care facilities and appreciates their incredible efforts to ensure the health and safety of South Dakota residents,” said Cassie Deffenbaugh, Administrator for the Office of Licensure and Certification. “This funding is an opportunity for providers to help build a qualified workforce while reducing financial burden related to workforce expansion and retention.”

Skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities and assisted living centers can apply for funding under the program, and the allowable use of funds includes personnel (term, temporary, students, overtime, contract staff, etc.) which includes facility non-clinical staff and clinical facility staff, and resources to support existing staff in facilities.

The deadline for the applications is April 15, 2023, at 5 p.m. CT, and facilities may apply for an award of up to $20,000. Applications will be reviewed promptly after the application period closes.

Upon approval, the SDDOH will contact the applicant and initiate contracts. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

The SDDOH says recipients should consider ways to incentivize recruitment and retention of all staff, including salary increases, bonuses and upgrading from part-time to full-time positions.

Facilities can read the full funding announcement and application instructions here, and facilities  interested in this funding opportunity should submit a completed application form and required attachments, including a budget and W-9, to DOHLTCTeam@state.sd.us.