Innovation Grant Activities

In 2019 the South Dakota Legislature in partnership with Governor Noem appropriated $1 million to the Department of Social Services (DSS) in order to pilot innovative projects focused on enhancing on primary and prenatal care for Medicaid recipients. Primary and prenatal care innovation projects will test evidence-based primary and prenatal care models that promote better health by addressing medical, behavioral, and psychosocial factors; improving delivery of care; and reducing health care costs.

DSS began accepting applications for innovation grant projects in April 2019 and awarded grants in September 2019. Three organizations were awarded innovation grants, Avera Health, the Center for Family Medicine, and Native Women’s Health Care. The grant period ran from January, 2020 through May, 2022. Native Women’s Health Care and South Dakota Medicaid mutually agreed to end the grant-funded program efforts in August 2021 due to challenges Native Women’s Health Care had implementing the proposed project. The final report and outcomes can be reviewed below.