Your weekend, simplified: March 14, 2025
Happy Friday! Megan here.
Weather check: Stay weather-aware, severe storms on the way
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- Reminder: If you contribute $30, you'll get a coupon from me for a free coffee from our pals over at The Breaks.
This week, you'll find some childcare news that's leaving providers feeling pretty demoralized after a veto from Gov. Larry Rhoden. You'll also learn about how a new program is helping more people learn paths to permanent housing. Plus, a local nonprofit has a new take on fundraising events, and, speaking of funds, lawmakers approved a $7.3 billion budget.
And now, news:
COMMUNITY
Childcare crisis: What's next after state opts not to help?
Simplified: Gov. Larry Rhoden this week vetoed a bill that would've made childcare providers eligible to receive state-backed childcare assistance for their own children. It's a huge blow for an industry that's been "treading water" for some time, as one provider said.
Why it matters
- Rhoden said in a press conference his reasoning for vetoing HB 1132 was that it would "dilute" the childcare assistance program intended to help low-income families by extending that program to the kids of people who provide childcare.
- The bill was one of three that came out of a year-long, statewide task force committed to addressing the ongoing childcare crisis. The others failed to pass out of both chambers.
- The House of Representatives failed to overturn the veto Thursday morning.
- Several childcare providers told Sioux Falls Simplified that they were disappointed with the governor's decision. Travis Haddix, owner of childcare centers in Harrisburg and Canton, described the feeling as "treading water, waiting for some sort of help."
- The lack of state support means childcare centers will likely continue to have to raise rates for parents while maintaining stagnant wages for their staff, a message echoed by multiple providers.
"It doesn't change the pressures that we're under," Embe CEO Kerri Tietgen said. "It just highlights that there's no relief in sight."
Tell me more. What does this all mean? And why should I care?
COMMUNITY
This program is bringing housing education directly to neighbors
Simplified: After a successful pilot project last fall, Sioux Falls Thrive is bringing its housing education course back in a new format and with more resources to help people find and maintain long-term housing.
Why it matters
- The Community Housing Education and Resource Fair, set to take place April 7-11 at Garfield Elementary, will offer two tracks attendees can take – one to learn pathways to homeownership and another to learn smart renting strategies.
- An important component of the housing course is making sure there are "as few barriers as possible," Sioux Falls Thrive President Michelle Erpenbach said. Childcare is available to attendees, dinner is provided, and transportation options are also available. There are also no income restrictions on who can attend.
- Additionally, attendees will leave the course with a Housing Education Resource Organization (HERO) certificate, documentation that signals to both landlords and lenders that they've learned how to evaluate their finances, understand the true costs of homeownership and, if renting, understand their rights and how to keep a good tenant/landlord relationship.
"This is a great need in our community, and I hope many take advantage of it," said Lisa Ross, homeowner services coordinator with Habitat for Humanity.
Tell me more about the program
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Hear some ideas worth spreading.* The annual TEDxSioux Falls event announced its speaker line-up, with topics ranging from the stories crimes tell to exploring identity in sports to learning how playing Dungeons and Dragons can be therapeutic. Now's the time to get your tickets for the April 17 event. Find a full lineup of speakers and learn more here.
- City shares affordable housing wins. The city helped more than 2,000 people through affordable housing programs last year, including several programs to provide funding for home repairs. Pigeon 605 has all of the numbers and details.
- Goodbye to the best Indian tacos in town. Watecha Bowl this week announced they'll be closing their Sioux Falls restaurant and moving to Freeman. They'll still be available for catering in town, and you may be able to catch their food truck out and about this summer. Otherwise, it's about an hour drive to Freeman.
SODAK SIMPLIFIED
One big thing from Pierre
- A $7.3 billion budget. As the 100th legislative session wraps up, lawmakers have approved next year's budget, which is down about $5 million from the year prior. About $3.1 billion of that budget is federal funding. South Dakota Searchlight has the full breakdown. (Also, once again, can we give it up for the folks at Searchlight, Dakota Scout, SDPB and others who spent the last three months hanging out in Pierre)
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
These are not your mother's fundraising events
This is a donated piece to promote the work of Selah Space. Want to donate a story to support your favorite nonprofit? Reach out to megan@sfsimplified.com for more details.
Simplified: Selah Space, a nonprofit holistic wellness cooperative, is innovating the way women receive their health care, self-care and more. The organization is also finding new, innovative ways to fundraise with a series of events aimed at play and camaraderie. Here's what you need to know about Seasonal Soirees.
Why it matters
- Selah Space is home to a wide variety of wellness providers, from mental health counselors to massage therapists to reiki to pelvic floor physical therapy. Many of these services are critical to women's health, but often insurance doesn't play nicely when it comes to coverage.
- That's why the organization is looking to the community for support in helping ensure women get the healing they need while providers also get the compensation they deserve.
- Seasonal Soirees is a series of quarterly events which will not only raise money to support the work of Selah Space, but also give attendees space to build connections, play and share stories.
"Worst case scenario, this is a fun event," Selah Space Founder Jada Dobesh said. "Best case scenario, you find a home with us."
Tell me more
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
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Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
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