The Department of Social Services (DSS) will be providing funding to support education or training to professionals in combatting the opioid epidemic. Funding will support South Dakota organizations or associations, including tribal entities, in planning and hosting training events around opioid use and misuse.

The effort is supported by South Dakota’s State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis and State Opioid Response, two federal grants provided through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to combat opioid addiction. The funding supports a comprehensive array of prevention, treatment, and recovery services based on the needs of states.

“Nationally, states have seen significant increases in opioid use,” said S.D. Department of Social Services Secretary Greg DeSautel, MD. “While South Dakota’s rate remains low, we have seen an increase in use.”

Training supported by this opportunity includes but is not limited to best practices for prescribing opioids, pain management, recognizing potential cases of substance use disorder, referral of patients to treatment programs, overdose prevention, increased awareness of the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and education and awareness related to opioid use or misuse and related topics including Medication Assisted Treatment.

“This funding will support evidenced-based knowledge so behavioral health and health care providers are able to increase their professional competency regarding the dangers of opioids,” said DeSautel.

Eligible applicants include South Dakota-based organizations or associations that provide direct services and support to populations affected by opioid overdose, as well as those that offer training and education to professionals who serve those populations. Applications are available at dss.sd.gov and will be accepted on an ongoing basis as grant funds are available.