A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, To direct the Department of Social Services to investigate implementing peer support services.

WHEREAS, peer support services are an evidence-based mental health model of care that consists of a qualified peer support provider who assists individuals with their recovery from either mental illness, substance use disorders, or both; and

WHEREAS, because of lived experience as a person with a mental health issue, substance use disorder, or both, qualified peer support providers have a unique ability to engage, support, model, and motivate another individual toward health, wellness, resiliency, and recovery; and

WHEREAS, experiences of peer support providers, as consumers of mental health and substance use services, can be an important component in South Dakota’s delivery of effective mental health and substance use disorder treatment; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota has a shortage of mental health care providers and programs; and

WHEREAS, peer support services have demonstrated outcomes of decreased utilization of state mental hospitals, emergency departments, and the justice system; and

WHEREAS, the Increase Community Services and Caregiver Supports Task Force recommends that the state of South Dakota investigate the development of effective peer support services:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Fifth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the South Dakota Department of Social Services investigate the development of peer support services to improve access to mental health care, and report to the 2021 Legislature on how to best provide peer support services across the state and the associated financial costs:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Social Services report to the 2021 Legislature on the appropriate role of the state in providing peer support services and the associated state financial costs.

Adopted by the House of Representatives, February 4, 2020

Concurred in by the Senate, February 25, 2020

_____________________ _____________________ Steven G. Haugaard Mary Lou Goehring Speaker of the House Chief Clerk

_____________________ _____________________ Larry Rhoden Kay Johnson President of the Senate Secretary of the Senate