News From Pierre and DC

The 100th South Dakota Legislative session will adjourn later this month on March 31. One bill CHS is keeping track of is HB 1221, which would make an appropriation for victim services provided by nonprofits.

• The bill offers $5 million—onetime funds—to nonprofit agencies who apply
• Nearly 30 nonprofits in the state could qualify for this grant
• Similar bill was passed in 2024
  • CHS received a little more than $593,000
    • Was used for the Child Advocacy Center and Shelter for Family Safety
• HB1221 passed both chambers and will make its way to the Governor’s desk.

We received a few questions specifically regarding the freeze on VOCA funds. It would be naïve to not be somewhat concerned because federal funding is important to our work. However, CHS is known for being proactive in our approach to decreasing our reliance on federal funds. Here is the updated information we know regarding VOCA funding.

• On February 25, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan indefinitely blocked the Trump Administration from freezing federal funds while agencies review their grant spending
• Currently, Federal VOCA funding is NOT frozen but in a holding pattern
• The Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), does not have a current Acting Director
  • The Director is appointed by the President
• The Acting Director must approve all the new solicitations before they can be re-released
  • Could be delays in the release of VOCA funding
  • VOCA funding has decreased throughout the years
• The state continues to process reimbursement requests and issue payments on open awards 
• The State Department of Public Safety will be releasing the solicitation for FY26 funding in the next “couple of weeks”
  • This will include all funding sources
    • FVPSA, VOCA, STOP and DASA
• 30 years ago, both boards understood that Federal funds could be a source of uncertainty
  • They approved the goal of building an endowment
    • Endowment supports 25% of the CHS annual budget
• CHS’s in house Grant Specialist is constantly looking into potential new grant avenues.
  • “Concern does not have to mean panic or worry. Instead, concern and change can also mean possibility. CHS is poised to build new relationships, not just for funding purposes but also to positively impact the lives of those we serve.” —Angie Smith, Grant Specialist