Pathways shelter outlines program changes, plans to focus on reentry services; commissioners raise concerns about parolee costs

Pathways Homeless Shelter briefed the Yankton County Board of Commissioners on program changes and its plan to shift resources from an emergency “night‑by‑night” shelter toward an upstairs reentry program that emphasizes case management, employment placement and housing support.

Will, executive director of Pathways Homeless Shelter, told the board the organization will discontinue the night‑by‑night acute shelter and emphasize programs that move participants into sustained services. He said the shelter’s winter caseloads had fallen and stricter rules reduced overnight use; the program team expects to offer more intensive services upstairs while using the current downstairs rooms for the reentry population when appropriate.

Why it matters: Commissioners and the sheriff asked how the change will affect parolees, public safety and county costs. County officials raised concerns that the state’s parole policies and budget practices could shift medical and detention costs onto counties if parolees reoffend while under local custody.

Key takeaways from the presentation and discussion - Capacity and program design: Will said the shelter currently averages about 6–8 people in the night‑by‑night program. He said the nonprofit could place up to 8 people in each of two downstairs rooms (a max of 16) if funding and state referrals permitted, but he emphasized staffing and case‑management limits would cap practical occupancy at lower levels. The organization also plans to create a day room and add case management access. - Parolee placements and screening: The shelter said it will accept state parole referrals but will screen packets and exercise final approval over individuals accepted into the reentry program. The shelter stated it does not accept sex‑offenders and prioritizes individuals with community ties. Pathways also said it will PBT participants once a day and will have advocates on site 24/7 for supervision. - Commission and sheriff concerns: Commissioners and the sheriff repeatedly raised the risk that counties could be billed for medical costs if state parolees are held in county custody after reoffending. The sheriff described communications with the Department of Corrections and said the issue is unsettled: the state has “temporarily agreed” to pay some medical fees but county staff cautioned the legal interpretation and practice could change with budget cuts. - Outcomes and performance: Will cited the shelter’s impact report: if participants remain in programming longer than two weeks, the shelter reports a high employment rate among former participants (figure cited in the meeting: an 80% employment rate for certain cohorts who stay more than two weeks). He said staff remove participants from the program and notify parole officers for rule violations.

Next steps and context Commissioners requested the shelter provide additional impact materials and offered to help coordinate state contacts and local partners. The board discussed tracking outcomes and asked the shelter if the county could receive regular updates on recidivism and successful exits. Pathways staff said they will continue outreach and can provide tours to commissioners and other officials.