What an exciting time to be a part of SDSCO! So many things have been happening this year and are in the works for this upcoming legislative session. We are reaching out to more people, using the available technology to communicate more effectively, and making huge strides towards educating our legislators. There is still so much to do and the legislative session is fast approaching. Please read the rest of the newsletter to learn of the many ways that you can help us pass legislation that will provide home birth families with access to nationally certified midwives to assist at their home births.

Since last year’s legislative session our legislators, the governor, and key public health officials have been
receiving one to two mailings a month about the needs of home birth families. They were invited to Legislative Workshops held around the state in June where we encouraged them to help us find a solution to the home birth access to care crisis in our state. We also invited them to our Healthy Birth Conference in September which was held in the middle of the state.

We have had many individuals and groups step up to contact their legislators and help us raise money for this year’s legislative push. Because of the tremendous generosity of our supporters we are seeking to rent a house in Pierre during January & February! This will allow many more of our supporters to come and spend time at the Capitol during the legislative session.

When you come to meet with your legislators, there will be someone from SDSCO there to help you find them and help you talk with them. We are hoping that everyone will plan to come to Pierre at least once during the legislative session. We are in the process of setting up a calendar on our website where you can sign up to stay in the house or just let us know when you are coming to the Capitol. Please check it out at: SDSafeBirth.org.

Our legislators have been hearing from us throughout the year, now they need to see us as a constant presence in Pierre. When we go to Pierre our appearance is very important. Our opponents like to paint us as a fringe group. It is much easier for legislators to ignore people who don’t look and act like they do. When you come, put on your “capitol clothes”. Everyone in Pierre is very dressed up for the legislative session - suits and ties for men, professional looking suits and dresses for women. Personally this is not comfortable for me, but I’ve been scouring the thrift stores and garage sales all summer for my “capitol clothes”. If I can do it, so can you! I know Paul will be looking his best as he educates the legislators as our lobbyist again this year.

We are planning a legislative rally and press conference at the Capitol on January 24th. Please see page 2 for more information. It is really important that we have a big turn out for this event, so please save this date and start recruiting friends and family to come. We also need help with Cookie Day on January 10th –see below.

There are so many ways that you and your family can help us realize our goal of providing access to skilled midwives for our home birth families. Please read over the rest of the newsletter and decide how you and your family will contribute to this worthy cause. Thanks in advance for your help!