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Developmental Disabilities Division .

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DSP of the Year 2023 Darnell Nichols stands holding a basket of flowers with a balloon.
This year’s DSP of the Year for BHSSC is Darnell Nichols! Darnell has worked at BHSSC as a DSP since 2018. The person nominating Darnell stated that he creates individual relationships with each of the people he supports. He understands their needs, likes, and dislikes. He ensures that each person is represented within their community, home, and day program. Darnell creates a fun environment, which encourages each person supported to be themselves. He is a role model for respect, kindness, empathy, and inclusion.
A group of people stands on a bridge
We helped with some weeding and fed the fish at the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery in Spearfish!
Group photos of BHSSC softball team members at the Special Olympics regional tournament in Rapid City.
Every summer a BHSSC softball team participates in the Regional Special Olympics tournament in Rapid City. Our softball team is a unified team, which means that people with and without disabilities play together. BHSSC Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are coaches and unified players on the team.
Two women with short brown hair and glasses are seated at a table. They are smiling. They both have takeaway containers with Mexican food from Mercy's Taco Truck.
Mercy's Tacos brought their delicious tacos to our Pleasant Valley campus and it was amazing! The Pleasant Valley campus has been having Food Truck Wednesday. People can try new cuisine and learn to budget. This has been very popular and will continue through September!
Woman and man sitting at a picnic table smiling
It was so wonderful to see the numerous families and friends at our Northern Hills DD picnic! The food was delicious and the company even better! Thank you to everyone who helped put on this amazing event.
People supported gathered in new play area cheering after ribbon is cut at play area dedication ceremony.
BHSSC held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 to dedicate and open the Randy Morris Play Area. The new accessible play area for the students with disabilities who attend BHSSC’s K-12 school was made possible thanks to a gift from a generous donor and was supported by the South Dakota Department of Health’s Health Improvement Innovation Grant through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities.
People gathered at the finish line to cheer for participants of a race.
Our Southern Hills DD Program volunteered to cheer on the participants of the Stars, Stripes and Steps Challenge held in Hot Springs recently.
A woman wearing a hat and green shirt stands on a track with other participants getting ready for a race.
BHSSC had over 20 athletes participating at the State Track and Field Special Olympics held in Spearfish May 18-20. The smiles and sunshine were abundant! They have been training weekly in Sturgis (when weather has permitted). This summer, athletes will start practicing for softball and bocce ball.
Two men and two women stand behind a woman in a wheelchair. All are smiling.
Several people were supported by the DD Division with attending a Gala on February 17th! Guests enjoyed dancing, posing for pics, playing games, socializing, and partaking in yummy appetizers & desserts!
A woman in a wheelchair with gray hair wearing a blue shirt smiles widely.
Wearing blue for Autism Awareness! April 2 was World Autism Awareness Day. DSPs Diana and Sonya supported residents at one of our group homes with wearing blue to show acceptance and spread awareness for autism.
One woman with gray hair holding an award plaque stand next to a woman with white hair. Both women are smiling at the camera.
Shirley Hauge, BHSSC DD speech pathologist, received the South Dakota Speech Language and Hearing Association Honors of the Association. This award is for lifetime contributions in leadership, advocacy and clinical practice in South Dakota. Congratulations, Shirley on this well-deserved award!
People playing games at halloween party.
We had fun playing games at our Halloween Party!

Working Together to Achieve Goals and Dreams!

BHSSC’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) Division is one of 20 Community Support Providers in South Dakota who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). 

We offer services in the Northern Black Hills and in Hot Springs, South Dakota, where we work in partnership with participants, families, community organizations, and community members to support people to get the lives they want. 

BHSSC’s Developmental Disabilities Division has a four-year Person Centered Excellence Accreditation from the Council on Quality and Leadership and maintains certifications from the South Dakota Department of Health, South Dakota Department of Human Services, and the South Dakota Department of Education.

Services & Supports

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In Our Communities .

Rosetta is a valued staff member at The Pizza Ranch in Sturgis. She enjoys her work there and has been employed in the community in various positions throughout the years. Rosetta’s work ethic and dedication are admirable. Watch the video about Rosetta’s experience in the Vocational Rehabilitation Job Placement program!

Three men and two women stand in front of the Meals on Wheels sign.
We currently have three groups who deliver meals on three different days of the week for our local Meals on Wheels program.
A woman wearing a turquoise T-shirt leaps into a sandpit for the long jump event.
We have a variety of people and teams who participate in the local, state, and regional Special Olympics. We currently participate in track and field, softball, bocce ball, and bowling throughout the year.
Three men, one woman, and a man in a wheelchair stand together in front of a stage at a community meeting in Hot Springs, South Dakota.
We offer a variety of clubs based on people's interests and needs, including Aktion Club, Wellness Class, Advocacy Group, Women's Group, and Men's Group. Through these clubs and groups, people are able to learn more about their rights, how to advocate effectively for themselves, and how to build and maintain productive relationships.