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Since 1980 Black Hills Special Services Cooperative has served individuals and communities statewide with programs to help people reach their full potential. Author and retired BHSSC Media Services Director, Paul Higbee, was among BHSSC's first employees and is currently writing a history of BHSSC. Paul is still in the process of doing interviews and having people relive their memories of the early days, as well as sifting through documents like the original feasibility study for BHSSC. He says, "I've been piecing it all together, and it's a great story. We've been trailblazers in the fields of special education, educational technology, and community development--so much is of national significance."
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Recent Highlights
Check out a few of the many projects happening in our Five Divisions of Service:
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The Collaborative Community Art Projects focus on developing unity among individuals of diverse groups by creating artworks to be displayed outdoors in multiple locations in Western and Central South Dakota. One of the project's art installations is a new sculpture at General Beadle Elementary School in Rapid City. Co-created by artist, Jay Pond, students, and community members, the sculpture features a person in a yoga pose. The Collaborative Community Art Projects are funded through the South Dakota Community Foundation, 21st Century Programs, and the SD Statewide Family Engagement Center, in partnership with three Bush Foundation Change Network 2019 fellows, Cary A. Thrall, Educator/Artist (CAT Scratch Studios); Jay Pond, Artist/Sculptor (Rapid City), and Dr. Pam Lange (BHSSC Executive Deputy Director).
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New regulations passed with the coronavirus relief bills provide flexibility and opportunities for afterschool and summer programs. Rapid City Area Schools determined that the Discovery Center programs are essential services for K-5 students. Discovery Centers give much-needed support for families through cost-free programs with innovative educational activities that help children academically and with social-emotional skills.
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People supported by our DD Division recently took part in the United Way's Month of Caring. They volunteered their time to help clean up areas of Sturgis, including Centennial Park and along the bike path!
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Community Education is back for the fall session offering something engaging for everyone! By implementing courses in new ways residents now have the opportunity to enjoy a class conveniently in their own home or take part in a smaller hands-on class. Most online classes are done on Zoom, hosted by a live instructor and with fellow students. In-person has limited class size for social distancing and includes optional mask wearing. People have enjoyed learning something new and discovering a hobby and meeting new friends in this program for decades!
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The Career Learning Center of the Black Hills held a virtual ceremony for its Summer GED® Graduation. Altrusa International of Rapid City provided cupcakes and balloons for the students to pick up curbside that day. The Adult Education Learners' wish for their commencement speaker was granted when Homeboy Industries founder and renowned speaker "Father G" accepted the CLC Adult Education & Literacy Director, Stephenie Rittberger's, invitation and gave a graduation speech via video. Father G's inspiring words provided an unforgettable experience for our graduates!
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All Women Count! , South Dakota’s Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening Program, helps women cover the cost of breast and cervical cancer screening. Mammograms, Pap smears and related exams are available at no cost to eligible women at many doctors' offices, mammography units, and other health clinics. BHSSC staff member, Stacy Seigfred, serves as the Clinical Outreach Coordinator for the program. Stacy helps participating clinics understand how to reach eligible women to enroll them in the program and get screened for breast and cervical cancer.
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TIE was awarded a National Park Service African American Civil Rights Historic Preservation Fund grant and will partner with Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site on The Green Siblings Project. This project shares the stories of Ernest Green, a member of the historic “Little Rock Nine,” and his siblings, Treopia and Scott. Treopia Green Washington is a noted educator who developed lasting bonds with South Dakota teachers through her leadership role on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and as a keynote presenter at South Dakota education conferences. Although the story of the “Little Rock Nine” has been told from a variety of perspectives over the years, the full story of the impact on Ernest Green and his family remains untold. Grant funding will provide for research and production on a documentary film about the Green siblings and Little Rock High School. Partially funded by the African American Civil Rights program of the Historic Preservation Fund, National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.
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