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South Dakota Department of Health
South Dakota Department of Health
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Safe Sleep RFA 2026

OPEN August 25, 2026 | Application Due Date: October 16, 2026

South Dakota Safe Sleep Collaborative Wellmark Expansion

Applications Open August 25, 2026

RFA 2026 South Dakota Safe Sleep Collaborative Wellmark Expansion

The South Dakota Department of Health, in partnership with The Wellmark Foundation, is offering funding for community-led projects that promote safe sleep, reduce sleep-related infant deaths, and improve infant outcomes across South Dakota.

This funding opportunity supports data-driven projects designed and implemented by organizations, community leaders, and professionals who understand the needs of the communities they serve. Community-led approaches allow organizations to tailor education, outreach, and interventions while building local capacity to improve infant health outcomes.

Projects must include a safe sleep component and follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' most recent safe sleep recommendations.

Focus Areas:

  • Preventing sleep-related infant mortality
  • Promoting safe sleep
  • Sudden unexpected infant death prevention
  • Infant mortality prevention

Application Deadline: October 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST

Anticipated Project Period: Project timelines will vary depending on the funding source. Project end dates will be no earlier than September 30, 2027.

Available Funding: Applicants may request up to $40,000 per organization. Additional funding is designated for projects requesting up to $20,000. The Wellmark Foundation will provide up to $120,000 for this grant period, with additional funding provided by the South Dakota Department of Health through multiple federally allocated funding sources.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Interventions must serve South Dakota residents and communities.
  • All proposed projects must include a safe sleep component.
  • Priority will be given to communities experiencing disproportionate rates of sudden unexpected infant death, sleep-related infant death, and infant mortality.

How to Apply:

Email your completed application to Laurel Rick, Infant Health Coordinator, at Laurel.Rick@state.sd.us by October 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST. Applications may be submitted in Word or PDF format. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.