DSS News provides media and the public with current information happening within the Department of Social Services.

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Featured Article, May 12, 2008:

Public Education Sessions to be held on the Long-Term Care Partnership Program

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Social Services continues with efforts to educate and inform residents on the Long-Term Care Partnership Program. In May, education sessions will be held in the following communities: Aberdeen, Britton, Sisseton, Webster, Watertown, Flandreau, Madison and Sioux Falls.

If you, a family member, friend or co-worker would like to find out more about long-term care, the costs related to it, how to plan for long-term care needs, what Medicare and Medicaid will cover and how the Long-Term Care Partnership Program can help you, now is your chance. The education sessions are free and open to the public. Below are the times, dates and locations for the month of May. Each session is scheduled for one hour.

• ABERDEEN: Monday, May 19, 2008
  Location: Brown County Courthouse Anex, 25 Market Street
  Time: Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., noon and 7 p.m..
• BRITTON: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
  Location: Britton Public Library, 759 7th Street
  Time: Session will be held at 9 a.m.
• SISSETON: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
  Location: Sisseton Public Library, 305 E. Maple Street
  Time: Session will be held at noon.
• WEBSTER: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
  Location: Courthouse Community Room, 711 W. 1st Street
  Time: Sessions will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• WATERTOWN: Wednesday, May 21, 2008
  Location: Codington Co. Extension Complex, 1910 W. Kemp
  Time: Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., noon and 7 p.m.
• FLANDREAU: Thursday, May 22, 2008
  Location: Moody Co. Extension Service, 500 1st Avenue W.
  Time: Sessions will be held at 9 a.m. and noon.
• MADISON: Thursday, May 22, 2008
  
  • Location: Bethel Lutheran Home, Activity Room Chapel, 1001 S. Egan Ave.
    Time: Pie/Ice Cream/Coffee social event from 3 - 4 p.m.
    RSVP: Please call Bethel Lutheran Home at 605-256-4539 if you plan on attending the social.
    
  • Location: Bethel Lutheran Home, Activity Room Chapel, 1001 S. Egan Ave.
    Time: Sessions will be held at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• SIOUX FALLS: Friday, May 23, 2008
  Location: Evangelical Good Samaritan Society, 4800 West 57th Street
  Time: Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., noon and 7 p.m.

If you are unable to attend a live session, a free educational conference call is also available and will be conducted on: Friday, May 16, 2008 at 9 a.m. and noon (CDT); each call will last one hour.

To participate in this call, dial: 1-866-809-6529 and enter the following ID number followed by the pound key: 8448656#. Callers can also download and print a copy of the presentation at www.ltcpartnership.sd.gov that will be used during the call.

About the Long-Term Care Partnership Program: The Long-Term Care Partnership Program is a public-private partnership offering individuals quality, affordable long-term care insurance. Once private insurance benefits are used, special Medicaid eligibility rules are applied if additional coverage is necessary. The Department will continue to offer community education sessions, educating and informing citizens on the Long-Term Care Partnership Program and the need to plan ahead and prepare for long-term care. To date we have visited: Harrisburg, Sioux Falls (3), Madison (2), Brookings, Watertown, Milbank, Belle Fourche, Spearfish (3), Rapid City (3), Deadwood, Sturgis (2), Aberdeen, Mobridge, Eagle Butte, Gettysburg, Pierre (2), Redfield, Miller, Huron, Mitchell, Chamberlain, Platte, Winner, Murdo, Wall, Hot Springs (2), Custer(2), Vermillion, Tyndall, Yankton, Parkston, Parker, Canton, Brandon, Buffalo and Lemmon.

To learn more, log onto www.ltcpartnership.sd.gov or call 1-800-597-1603.