Public Health Nursing Services support the health and well-being of individuals and families across South Dakota. Public Health Nurses provide education, screenings, preventive services, and connections to resources that help people stay healthy at every stage of life. Services are delivered in partnership with healthcare providers, schools, and community organizations to support healthy pregnancies, healthy children, and strong communities.
Public Health Nursing Services focus on prevention, early detection, and helping South Dakotans access the care and support they need.
Download PHN Services 1-pager Find a Public Health Nursing Office Near You
Available Public Health Nursing Services
The Pregnancy Care Program is available to pregnant and postpartum women and their infants across South Dakota. Services are provided by a nurse and are designed to support healthy pregnancies and healthy families.
Services include:
- Initial risk assessment to identify health needs and available resources
- Monthly nurse visits that supplement prenatal care from a healthcare provider
- Postpartum visits for mothers and infants
- Weight checks, blood pressure checks, and health assessments
- Education and support for pregnancy and infant care
- Referrals to community services and resources
- Communication with healthcare providers when additional care is needed
- Breastfeeding education and support
Public Health Nurses provide safe sleep education for pregnant women, new parents, and caregivers of infants. Education is based on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Services may include:
- Safe sleep education and guidance
- Home or nurse visits to assess safe sleep environments
- Support for families who need a safe sleep space for their infant
Families without a safe sleep environment may be eligible to receive a Pack-n-Play to help ensure infants have a safe place to sleep.
Public Health Nurses offer maternal depression screening for pregnant and postpartum women.
Services include:
- Screening using validated screening tools
- Education and support
- Referral to healthcare providers when additional care is needed
Developmental screening is available for children ages 2 months through 60 months to support early identification of developmental or social-emotional concerns.
Screenings include:
- Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) to identify developmental delays
- Ages and Stages Questionnaire Social Emotional (ASQ-SE) to assess emotional and social development
These parent-led tools help families better understand their child’s development and connect to resources if additional support is needed.
Public Health Nursing Services help protect individuals and communities through vaccination services and education.
Services include:
- Reviewing vaccination records
- Providing age-appropriate vaccines
- Vaccine education for families
- Scheduling follow-up vaccinations when needed
- Employer-based influenza vaccination services
Public Health Nurses provide oral health assessments for eligible children to help prevent dental disease.
Services include:
- Oral health assessments for children ages 6 months through 6 years
- Services for eligible school-aged children
- Fluoride varnish for children who qualify to help reduce dental cavities
Public Health Nurses partner with schools to support student health and readiness to learn.
Services may include:
- Health screenings for students
- School-based immunization services
- Health education and support for schools and families
Public Health Nurses provide health guidance and screenings to help individuals and families stay healthy.
Services include:
- Education on nutrition and healthy food choices
- Connections to community programs and resources
- Blood pressure screenings
- Vision and hearing screenings
- Employer-based health screenings and education
- Office services ordered by a healthcare provider
To learn more about services available in your community, contact your local Public Health Nursing office.