My Neighbor serves as a bridge, offering assistance and resources through: information and referral;assessing the needs for financial assistance to include gaps and ensuring that the funding gets to those who truly have crisis needs, and using the available resources and tools to help solve situations, to prevent this same situation from re-surfacing, and to improve someone's situation for the long term and in essence creating a self-reliant member of the Brookings community.

The program can cover some items that are not normally covered (i.e. daycare);it depends on the situation, but the key is based upon self sufficiency. Also, people do not qualify just because of income, low or otherwise, the eligibility comes from the specific case. This program is to be considered a LAST resort, meaning referrals will be given to clients to check out before any assistance is given.The program MAY BE ABLE TO HELP with the following: rent, rent deposit, utility bills that are current, past due, or disconnection notice for water, lights, heating, and trash, utility deposits for water, lights, and heating, daycare, small car repairs, car payment (if employed), and small health care needs.

The program DOES NOT HELP with the following: cable, cell/phone, internet, shelter in the form of temporary housing or hotel stays, transportation in the form of gasoline, bus tickets, or taxi, personal needs such as furniture, clothing, laundry, personal or hygiene needs, Christmas presents, food or meals, and prescriptions

My Neighbor program is for people that LIVE and WORK in Brookings.

• Providing direct support to any individual or family asking for help with basic needs such as rides, phone calls, bail funds, meal sharing, peer counseling, financial counseling, wellness coaching, and more.
• Overcoming barriers to community resources
• Helping people access support in the community
• Improving health desparities

The Division of Economic Assistance provides assistance to low income families who need help with child care costs while parents work or attend school, oversight, technical assistance, and support in promoting safe, healthy and caring environments for children through licensing, registration and quality improvement activities. Child Care Assistance applications are processed in Pierre, but can be dropped off at any DSS local office where they will be mailed to the Pierre office.

Child care provider referrals, visit DSS' website: https://apps.sd.gov/ss45provinfo/search.aspx

Provides preschool scholarships to children from economically disadvantaged families in Rapid City.

Children that receive scholarships can choose from 5 different area preschools.