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PHEC Projects

Current Projects

The SD QuitLine evaluation uses multi-modal survey data collection methods to gather information on both the effectiveness of the service and level of satisfaction among program participants. A variety of reports and infographics depicting this data are produced each year and used in communities in South Dakota for tobacco use prevention and cessation efforts. Some of this information is also shared at the national level to support initiatives to develop best practices for quit lines nationwide.

The specific aims of this ongoing evaluation project with the South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (SD CCCP) are: (a) to examine public health and program outcomes related to the six components of the SD CCCP, (b) to monitor and report on evaluation indicators for the priority components of the SD CCCP, including revisions to the statewide cancer control plan and (d) to guide and assist stakeholders with development and implementation of evaluation plans for SD CCCP activities.

The South Dakota Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (SD BCCEDP) implements cancer prevention and control activities to reduce the burden of breast and cervical cancer in South Dakota. The five-year funding cycle is focused on increasing appropriate breast and cervical cancer screening services through provision of cancer screenings, eliminating barriers and implementing key evidence-based strategies. Program evaluation over the 5-year grant period aims to:

  1. Examine the extent to which the program reaches targeted goals of improving education and access to screening, particularly among low-income and uninsured individuals
  2. Monitor program outcome indicators, including number of individuals served and ultimately, rates of breast and cervical cancer screening in SD
  3. Guide and assist program staff in continuous program improvement
  4. Disseminate successes and best practices so these efforts can be applied in similar settings within and beyond the state’s borders

The SD BCCEDP is committed to providing stakeholders with an annual evaluation report demonstrating the effectiveness and impact of the program.

The South Dakota Colorectal Cancer Control Program (SD CRCCP) uses a collaborative and coordinated approach between public health, communities and health care systems to implement cancer prevention and control activities to reduce the burden of colorectal cancer in South Dakota communities. The 5-year funding cycle is focused on increasing colorectal cancer screening rates among a defined target population of persons aged 50-75 years of age within five partner health systems and numerous clinic sites serving a defined geographical area or disparate population.Program evaluation over the 5-year grant period aims to:

  1. Examine the extent to which the program reaches targeted goals of improving education and access to CRC screening, particularly among low-income and uninsured individuals
  2. Monitor program outcome indicators, including rates of CRC cancer screening in SD
  3. Guide and assist program staff in continuous program improvement
  4. Disseminate successes and best practices so these efforts can be applied in similar settings within and beyond the state’s borders

The SD CRCCP is committed to providing stakeholders with an annual evaluation report demonstrating the effectiveness and impact of the program.

The All Women Count! Program provides access to breast and cervical cancer screening to income-eligible women in SD. This contract provides analytic support for cancer data generated by the program to determine data trends, disparities, and screening rates by county, gender and race to inform program efforts.

This contract provide analytic support for annually identified cancer data priorities to determine cancer specific data trends and disparities to inform efforts across the 5 SD Cancer Programs in the SD Department of Health. A second purpose is to support evaluation services for the Cancer Registry to ensure data integrity and dissemination of cancer information in the state.

The primary purpose of the South Dakota Cancer Registry (SDCR) is to coordinate efforts to collect and disseminate high quality data on reportable incidence cancer cases in a timely manner, report and promote useful information for cancer control and prevention programs, respond to public cancer concerns and maintain state policies to improve registry procedures. The five-year funding cycle is focused on activities that support program collaborations and partnerships to expand the application of SDCR data. Evaluation is used in a continuous program improvement manner to ensure collaborations with key organizations are established for the purpose of expanding the reach and use of caner surveillance data and to improve selections, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based interventions.

The South Dakota Rape Prevention Education (RPE) program coordinates statewide activities and facilitates partnerships designed to increase awareness of sexual violence, improve knowledge and promote social norms that protect against sexual violence and decrease violence supporting attitudes and behaviors. Evaluation is used to monitor and assess the effectiveness of training, implementation, collaboration and policy efforts as well as monitor progress toward reducing sexual violence throughout the state.

Sanford Children’s Specialty Clinic partnered with the South Dakota Department of Health (SD DOH) to offer this new program aimed at improving care for children with CMC. Evaluation of the program will examine health outcomes, family needs, provider perceptions, coordination of care, cost considerations and communication across family stakeholders before and after program participation. Pre/post information will be collected using family surveys, surveys of affiliated professionals and tracking information on services provided by the program.

The American Indians Into Nursing Program is an Indian Health Service (IHS) program that works to increase the number of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) nurses, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners who deliver health care services in AI/AN communities. South Dakota State University is among five universities nationwide to receive grant support to establish this program on their campus. With this funding, the SDSU program, titled Wicozani (a Lakota term meaning a place of health and balance), will provide scholarship support and stipends to qualifying AI/AN undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Upon graduation, recipients must fulfill a service obligation and serve a minimum of two years at an IHS or tribal health program.


Past Projects

  • A Statewide Assessment of Smoke-Free Policy in Multi-unit Housing
  • Assessment of Palliative and End of Life Care in South Dakota
  • Assessing Readiness to Select Outcome Indicators for Monitoring and Evaluation of the South Dakota Rape Prevention Education Program
  • Assessment of Tobacco-Free Policy in Healthcare Facilities Statewide
  • Assessment of Tobacco-Free Policy in Post-secondary Educational Facilities in South Dakota
  • Assessment of Tobacco-Free School Policy in K-12 Schools
  • Evaluation of the South Dakota Cancer Survivorship Program
  • Facilitation and Evaluation of the South Dakota Palliative Care Network
  • Healthcare Provider Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Beliefs about Colorectal Cancer Screening
  • Listen to the People: Perceptions of the South Dakota Cancer Control Plan
  • Statewide Capacity for Colorectal Cancer Screening
  • Statewide Focus Groups to Inform the Office of Child and Family Services State Plan
  • Youth Tobacco Survey Administration