(Sioux Falls, SD) — Behavioral health initiatives are suffering a multi-million dollar blow in South Dakota. One program impacted is a local telehealth service for South Dakota law enforcement agencies which will now be put on hold. Without any funding, Avel eCare will no longer provide telehealth aid to law enforcement during crisis situations. The South Dakota Department of Social Services reported Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services terminated nearly three-million dollars in supplemental block grant awards. The money was distributed through the American Rescue Plan Act during the pandemic. The grants were scheduled to end at the end of September this year.
