Specifications include, but are not limited to: The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) is initiating this Request for Proposals to solicit proposals from firms interested in conducting a study to help the state of South Dakota better understand the challenges and opportunities facing the child care workforce and identify strategies that may be utilized by businesses and communities to support, recruit, and retain childcare employees.A comprehensive picture of the current child care workforce in South Dakota does not currentlyexist; however, it is necessary to guide the ongoing efforts to improve the quantity, quality, andretention of the workforce. The workforce study will provide data that will be used to:•Inform, support, and expand recognition for the childcare workforce among advocates,the business community, philanthropy, state leaders, and the general public. •Enhance understanding of and support for the workforce in the child care field.•Enhance understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the workforce in order to identify strategies that address issues such as low compensation, turnover, and access to training and education. •Provide baseline data from which to assess future progress/success and provide recommendations for how the data can continue to be collected in the future.
