Family Life

A group of people posing for the cameraAt South Dakota Parent Connection, our vision is to be the “go-to” resource of choice for families when they need information or assistance in supporting the unique needs of their child and family. 

Helping families is at the heart of our work. Key to keeping that heart beating is an experienced staff, most often parents of children with special needs themselves, who provide caring and knowledgeable assistance to families from the very first contact, often at the time of diagnosis.

We serve families with children with all disabilities and special needs, whether emotional/behavioral, learning, physical, or mental health. No other organization in South Dakota offers such a broad range of services to families. We also work in partnership with a variety of organizations to coordinate and broaden the scope of assistance available to families.

Resources for Families

For articles and helpful tools across a variety of issues, visit our Virtual and Video Library.

For links to credible resources on specific disabilities and disorders, visit Disabilities and Disorders page.

For information on Sibshops and other supports for siblings, visit our Siblings page.

For information on statewide trainings and events, visit our Events Calendar.

For information on support groups for parents or youth, visit our Support Groups and Youth Support Groups pages.

For information on upcoming learning opportunities, parenting classes, and more, visit our Parent/Grandparents page.

Featured Resource

When Behavior Is a Concern Learning Series

Understand and Respond with Confidence

Challenging behavior can feel confusing and stressful. You may wonder why it keeps happening or what you should do differently.

When Behavior Is a Concern is a free, three-part learning series created to help parents and educators better understand behavior and feel more confident during hard moments.

In this series, you will learn:
  • Why behavior is a message
  • What happens in the brain during big feelings
  • How to build safety and connection first
  • Simple tools you can use at home or in the classroom
  • How to respond calmly and teach new skills over time