Codington Connects Housing Conference Draws 200

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD – Codington County Community Services Director Sara Foust updated the Board of Commissioners on the success of recent community initiatives, specifically the high engagement surrounding local housing and childcare needs.

Foust reported that the Codington County Housing Conference held last week was a major success, with 200 registered attendees. The event served as a platform to present local housing initiatives and strategic goals. Commissioner Lee Gabel, who attended the conference, praised the program, specifically noting a “good program on TIFs [Tax Increment Financing].”

The office is now shifting its focus toward childcare. Foust announced that a community survey is currently live to reassess childcare needs following the opening of the Monastery. Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

“The point of that survey is to reassess what our childcare needs are,” Foust explained. “We are just really re-evaluating to find out what the needs are so we can work with businesses to promote the right interventions.”

Foust also touched on the HEART (Healing, Education, Awareness, Resilience, Trauma) committee’s progress. The group is working on a strategic plan to improve trauma education. As part of this effort, Tifanie Petro is scheduled to visit on March 30 and 31 to present three ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) training sessions for the community.