Second Early Learning Center grant request

Communities across South Dakota this past year were tasked with finding innovative ways they might solve child care concerns and issues. Those with the most creative, workable and thoughtful solutions would be awarded various levels of funding to see those plans through, up to $500,000 from the Governor’s Office for Economic Development.
As we’ve reported throughout the process, the Moody County Boys and Girls Club has worked alongside the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, the City of Flandreau, business and education leaders, other partners, and most recently, the county, to apply for funding that would build and create programs in a stand-alone building on the Flandreau Public School campus.
The community last year was excited to learn that it was awarded the first part of the grant, all of that funding was to be used for planning purposes.
The partners just learned however that the second round of funding did not come through. A requirement of being awarded any funds was that it would have to be put into services available by fall of 2024. The timeline is too quick of a turnaround for what local leaders hope to build.
Boys and Girls Club CEO Jody Hernandez said early Monday that it hasn’t stopped their momentum.
The Boys and Girls Club of Moody County, the City of Flandreau, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, and officials with Moody County, this past week submitted another grant request for $2 million they hope will help fund the Flandreau Early Learning Collective Impact.

The Center would provide care for children ages 0-5. Construction would begin in the fall of this year and be ready for services by January of 2026.
“This crucial initiative aims to nurture Flandreau/Moody County’s future leaders by providing a nurturing environment for early childhood development,” the Club wrote on its Facebook page this past week.
While partners wait for approval on the Community Development Block Grant funds, the collaborative is seeking other funding partners for what they say is a much-needed resource.
“A facility of this magnitude in a community the size of Flandreau is transformative. It will significantly impact families, enabling them to access quality childcare services,” Hernandez told the Moody County Enterprise.
We have been diligently working with Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe and City of Flandreau to establish a Flandreau Early Learning Collective Impact. Together over the last several months we have been leading focus group meetings, identifying partners, and building grant proposals to support Flandreau/Moody County’s future leaders through a high-quality, accessible, inclusive, and innovative 0 to 5 Early Learning Center to be built in Flandreau. Today we presented to Moody County Commissioners who will support an application for a Community Development Block Grant which could result in substantial capital support to make this project a reality. We look forward to the continued collaboration as together, we can create a community where families thrive, children flourish, and economic growth is sustained for generations to come. #GreatFuturesStartHere
County Commissioners this past week helped to ensure that the application for a Community Development Block Grant was submitted. The grant, if awarded, would provide substantial capital funding to make the vision of the Early Learning Center a reality.
“We are incredibly grateful for the collaborative spirit between our organizations,” said. Marty Skroch, Moody County Commissioners Assistant “This project is a testament to the power of working together for the betterment of our community. A high-quality early learning center will not only benefit our children, but will also serve as a cornerstone for sustained economic growth for generations to come.”
The Flandreau Early Learning Collective Impact looks forward to continued collaboration with all stakeholders. With a shared commitment, this project has the potential to create a thriving community where families can flourish and children can reach their full potential.

WHEREAS, Moody County is a subgrantee of a Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as administered by the State of South Dakota, and;
WHEREAS, Moody County is required to designate a certifying officer for the purpose of signing required documents pertaining to this grant;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Chairperson for the Moody County be hereby designated as the county’s official for the purpose of signing Grant Agreements and pay requests.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board President for the Boys and Girls Club be hereby designated as the certifying officer for the purpose of signing correspondence, contracts, and other required documents.