LSS of South Dakota hosted three large events in June to support adoptive families, lift up teens in foster care and celebrate cultural richness.
SOUTH DAKOTA ADOPTION CONFERENCE EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS
Nearly 100 people attended the 2025 South Dakota Adoption Conference on June 12 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. The conference was titled “From Blow-Up to Bonding: Finding the Balance of Attachment-Focused Discipline in Adoption” and included speakers Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker, Cara DeHaan and Dr. Kari Oyen.
Parents, caregivers and social services professionals learned how brain development and memories shape child behavior, how to identify risk and protective factors influencing outcomes for children, effective strategies for discipline and limit-setting, selfcare for long-term success and more. The all-day conference also was an opportunity for adoptive parents to connect with others facing similar challenges and seek out resources to meet their unique needs.
The event is a partnership with the South Dakota Department of Social Services.
TEENS FROM ACROSS THE STATE LEARN LIFE SKILLS
The Teen Conference is held every summer to give youth in foster care age 14–18 an opportunity to learn skills and further their knowledge related to independent living. The conference includes cultural activities, workshops, inspirational speakers and social events.
About 30 teens attended the conference on June 10 at The Journey Museum in Rapid City, and 65 attended on June 12 in Sioux Falls. The goal of the conference is to help teens prepare to live independently through education and advocacy, and attendees hear from former foster care youth who share their lived experience, including struggles and successes.
The event is a partnership with the South Dakota Department of Social Services.
SIOUX FALLS CELEBRATES CULTURAL RICHNESS WITH BIGGER-THAN-EVER FESTIVAL OF CULTURES
Sioux Falls came alive with radiant energy when the 28th Annual Festival of Cultures took place on June 14. The free community event hosted by the LSS Multi-
Cultural Center brings together people from every cross-section of the community to learn from each other and celebrate all the heritages that make Sioux Falls such a welcoming and thriving city.
This year, 10 food vendors offered a unique opportunity to try exciting and delicious cuisines, and family-friendly performances included Hot Peas ‘n Butter, Etta and the Vendetta, Abatimbo Group (read more about this debut performance here), Espiral7 and more. The annual Parade of Flags, featuring nearly 200 flags from around the world carried proudly through the festival grounds, was a particularly moving highlight this year.
A special thank-you to presenting sponsor First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard, partner Levitt at the Falls and sponsors Avera, CNA Surety, First Bank & Trust, MarketBeat, Sammons, Sanford Health, Showplace Cabinetry and Smithfield Foods for your support of this year’s Festival of Cultures.
