Contact Us

Staff and Program Directory

Here you will find detailed descriptions of the different divisions and programs within the Department, who to contact for each area and how to contact them.

Secretary
Provides administration and direction to all areas of the Department of Social Services. Contact: Deb Bowman: 605-773-3165

  • Deputy Secretary
    Contact: Kim Malsam-Rysdon: 605-773-3165
  • Administrative Hearings
    Holds hearings and determines issues if persons are affected by the Department’s actions concerning Food Stamps, Medical Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Care Services, Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect matters within the Division of Child Protection Services, Low Income Energy Assistance and Child Support Enforcement. Contact: Eric Monson, Chief Hearing Examiner: 605-773-6851
  • Constituent Services Director
    Provides accurate information to address and help the citizens of South Dakota in a timely and efficient manner. Contact: Susan Stoneback: 605-773-3165
  • Constituent Liaison
    Provides information to the public about services in our Department. This individual receives and investigates complaints and ensures they are responded to in a comprehensive and timely manner. Contact: Valerie Porter-Hanson: 1-800-597-1603
  • Communications Director
    Provides a system of mass communication services related to public relations, web development, media relations and other information pertinent to the public. Contact: Emily Currey: 605-773-3165
  • Management Information
    Provides statistical information and data analysis for certain areas within the Department. Contact: Richard Jensen: 605-773-2054
  • Recoveries and Fraud Investigations
    Provides benefit fraud investigations, recovers Medicaid expenses from third party resources, administers the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program and is responsible for recovery of all debts owed through the Department.
    Contact: Dave Schiefen, Program Administrator: 605-773-3653

Accounting and Finance, Chief Financial Officer
Provides support services to oversee and manage the Department’s budget and financial operations. Contact: Brenda Tidball-Zeltinger, 605-773-3165

Division of Legal Services, Acting Division Director
Provides legal services to the Department Secretary as well as to other programs within the Department. Contact: Dan Todd, 605-773-3305

  • Administrative Rules
    Administrative Rules are statements of general applicability; which implement, interpret, or prescribe the actions that may be taken by the programs administered by the Department.
    Contact: Jill Wellhouse: 605-773-3305
  • Catastrophic County Poor Relief Program
    Allows counties to pool their resources into a central fund in order to provide relief for catastrophic medical expenses.
    Contact: Jill Wellhouse: 605-773-3305
  • Discrimination Complaints
    Ensures program services and benefits are available to every qualified applicant without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion and national origin. Call: 605-773-3305
  • HIPAA
    Ensures the confidentiality of individual health information and increases their access to personal medical records.
    Contact: Jill Wellhouse: 605-773-3305
  • Public Hearings and Legal Notices
    View the most current hearings and other legal notices held by the Department.

Division of Operations and Technology, Division Director
Provides support responsibilities for Department offices in the following ways: logistical administrative functions and operations; identifying and addressing Department technology needs; and providing centralized procurement support services.
Contact: Mark Close, 605-773-2054

Division of Adult Services and Aging, Division Director
Provides programs and services to assist elderly individuals with daily activities; helping this age group continue to live in their homes. Contact: Marilyn Kinsman, 605-773-3656 or 1-866-854-5465

Division of Child Care Services, Division Director
Provides assistance to low-income families who need help with child care costs while parents work or attend school. They also provide oversight, technical assistance and support in promoting safe, healthy and caring environments for children through licensing, registration and quality improvement activities.
Contact: Patricia Monson, 605-773-4766 or 1-800-227-3020

  • Child Care Licensing
    Provides accurate information pertaining to the licensing of child care facilities in South Dakota. Contact: Carroll Forsch: 605-773-7176
  • Child Care Assistance
    Provides Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant funds to help low-income families pay for the child care as they work, attend school, or both. Contact: Amy Gorham: 605-773-7274

Division of Child Protection Services, Division Director
Provides parents the assistance they need to help keep their children safe through: parent training programs, parenting support services, assessment of child safety through receipt of child abuse and neglect reports, foster and kinship care, adoption services, and child welfare agency licensing services. Contact: Virgena Wieseler, 605-773-3227

  • South Dakota Family and Children Information System (FACIS) Provides intake information, alternative care information, case management data, foster care inquiries, adoption inquiries, foster care licensing, adoption approvals, and Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data.

Division of Child Support, Division Director
Provides support for children in South Dakota by locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, and enforcing child support orders. Contact: Terry Walter, 605-773-3641

Division of Economic Assistance, Division Director
Provides medical, nutritional, financial, and case management services to promote the well-being of lower income families, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
Contact: Sharon Sonnenschein, 605-773-4678

  • Auxiliary Placement
    Provides educational placement assistance for children in care of the Department. Contact: Judy Hoscheid, Program Specialist: 605-773-3448
  • Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
    Provides health insurance at little or no cost for South Dakota children who meet certain eligibility requirements. Call Toll Free: 1-800-305-3064 or email.
  • Community Assistance Program
    Provides programs and services to low-income South Dakotans. Services vary by agency and may include weatherization, community transportation, food pantries, and emergency services. Contact: 605-773-4678
  • Energy/Weatherization Assistance
    Provides assistance to low income families to help them pay for their heating bills and weatherize their homes. Call: 605-773-3766 or 1-800-233-8503
  • Food Stamps
    Provides assistance to low income families to help them buy food to remain healthy. Contact: Judy Toelle, Program Administrator: 605-773-3493 or 1-877-999-5612
  • Medical Eligibility
    Provides medical assistance for individuals, families, and children who are eligible. Contact: Jolene Brakke, Program Administrator: 605-773-4678
  • Sales Tax on Food Refund Program
    Provides refunds of sales tax payments on food to low income families. Contact: Virginia Hanson, Program Specialist: 605-773-4105 or 1-866-674-0543
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
     Provides temporary monthly cash to assist families in need.
    Contact: Jim Valnes, Program Administrator: 605-773-4678
  • Quality Control
    Provides assurance that government dollars are properly spent when determining eligibility for the different services through our Department. Contact: Mary Davis, Program Specialist (Deadwood): 605-578-2402

Division of Medical Service, Division Director
Provides payment services on behalf of low income families and individuals who are eligible for Medical Assistance either through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Medicaid.
Contact: Larry Iversen, 605-773-3495