The federal government's dereliction allows states to fall short on meeting minimum child welfare standards. Below is information specific to South Dakota:

CFSR Results Summary: In its Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process, HHS determines whether each state is in substantial conformity with 7 specific outcomes (pertaining to the areas of safety, permanency and family and child well-being) and 7 systemic factors (relating to the quality of services delivered to children and families and the outcomes they experience).  In the first two rounds of the CFSR, HHS has concluded that South Dakota was:

Round 1 (2002)

• NOT in substantial conformity with 7 of the 7 Outcomes
• NOT in substantial conformity with 2 of the 7 Systemic Factors

Round 2 (2009)   

• NOT in substantial conformity with 6 of the 7 Outcomes
• NOT in substantial conformity with 2 of the 7 Systemic Factors

Although federal law mandates that any state found not to be operating in substantial conformity during an initial or subequent review must begin a full review within two years after approval of the state's program improvement plan, HHS has announced that South Dakota will not undergo Round 3 of the CFSR until FY 2017 (see CFSR Technical Bulletin #7 (March 2014)).

Documents from the U.S. Health & Human Services Children's Bureau

• Child and Family Services Review Reports and Results
  
  
  • South Dakota Performance Improvement Plan (Round 2)
  • Final Report: South Dakota Child and Family Services Review, 2009 (Round 2)
  • South Dakota Performance Improvement Plan (Round 1)
  • Final Report: South Dakota Child and Family Services Review, 2002 (Round 1)
• Title IV-E State Reports and Program Improvement Plans (PIPs)
  
  
  • Initial Primary (FY 2003)
  • Primary Review (FY 2006)
  • Subsequent Primary Review (FY 2009)
  • Subsequent Primary Review (FY 2012)
• Other Documents / Reports
  
  
  • South Dakota AFCARS Assessment Review (2005)
  • South Dakota section from HHS' Child Welfare Outcomes, 2009-2012, Report to Congress

Child Welfare In the News**

• SD Supreme Court sides with lower court in child abuse statute constitutionality contest
  Associated Press - December 19, 2014
  A man convicted of abuse for driving 112 mph while intoxicated with three children in his vehicle has been unsuccessful in arguing to the South Dakota Supreme Court that the state law governing his offense is unconstitutionally vague.
  

**news summaries taken from daily newsfeed service of HHS' Child Welfare Information Gateway