Our Program
Chronic disease affects quality of life, has a huge economic impact, and increases the need for healthcare services.
The Better Choices, Better Health® SD Program offers physical activity and fall prevention workshops. Participants will learn skills, gain confidence, and receive peer support to help them learn new ways to get through their daily activities and manage physical and mental health wellness.
All programming provided by BCBH-SD is licensed and managed by SDSU Extension and supported by the South Department of Health and the South Dakota Department of Human Services.
The BCBH-SD self-management education programs are modeled after an evidence-based process originally developed by Stanford University, rigorously tested in randomized, controlled trials by the Patient Education Research Center at the Stanford University School of Medicine. All components of the workshops have been medically approved. For a more in-depth history of these programs, visit the Self-Management Resource Center.
The BCBH-SD physical activity programs are modeled after evidence-based processes from the Arthritis Foundation and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Our Value Proposition
We provide a statewide infrastructure to successfully deliver person-centered self-management education programs that empower South Dakotans to:
- Improve their health, satisfaction, and self-efficacy
- Manage rising health care costs
Our Vision
Individuals empower South Dakotans to achieve optimal wellbeing
Partners establish a synergetic network that provides access and opportunity for improved health
Our Mission
Collectively inspiring people to live their best life
Our Purpose
Challenge and elevate people to think differently about their health
Our Core Values
Sustaining a healthy South Dakota by guiding the work and informing expectations through:
- Compassion and Empathy
interacting with warmth, courtesy, and dignity while respecting the needs and understanding the values of participants - Collaboration
collectively establishing, evolving, and leveraging partnerships - Consistent Information
offering quality evidence-based resources - Confidence
igniting self-efficacy and empowerment - Commitment
dedicating to elevating individuals, partners, and communities at each opportunity
Our team
Lori Oster
Program Director
Megan Jacobson
Health Promotion Specialist
Samantha Schlaffman
Program and Volunteer Coordinator
Sandi Traupel
Engagement and Enrollment Coordinator
Deseree Corrales
Bilingual Health Educator
Diane Yeadon
Community Health Educator
Emily Vincelli
Community Health Educator
Program support
SDSU Extension
Serves as the license holder, fiscal agent, and operations administrator
SD Department of Health
Provides leadership, funding support, and promotion of program services
SD Department of Human Services
Provides leadership, funding support, and promotion of program services
Additional partners
- AARP
- Active Generations
- Advisory Council/Falls Prevention Coalition
- Avera Health
- Avera St. Benedict Health Center*
- Avera St. Mary’s
- Community Health Center of the Black Hills
- Community Health Worker Collaborative
- Department of Human Services, Long Term Services and Supports*
- Great Plains Quality Innovation Network*
- Great Plains Tribal Leader’s Health Board
- Horizon Health Care
- Human Service Agency
- Huron Regional Medical Center
- Lake Area Technical College
- Mitchell Technical College
- Monument Health*
- Platte Health Center
- Sanford Health*
- SDAHO
- South Dakota Department of Health*
- South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care*
- South Dakota State University Extension*
- Volunteers of America-Dakotas*
- Wellmark
*Sponsoring Host Organizations with signed BCBH Memorandum of Agreement
Resources
BCBH-SD Referral Resources
Better Choices, Better Health® South Dakota Referrals Model Policy
Data & Marketing Materials
The Cost Savings of Investing in Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Cost Savings Infographic
Print Materials
Order from the DOH’s Educational Materials Catalog. Choose the “Chronic Disease” category and select from a variety of materials available for free.
National Resources
- Self-Management Resource Center
- National Council on Aging (NCOA) Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Community Health Needs Assessment Example
- NCOA: Chronic Disease Self-Management Fact Sheet
- NCOA: Value of Chronic Disease Self-Management
- Stanford University Model: Triple Aim Goals
