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Pennington County Mental Health Court to Hold Graduation on January 20

January 13, 2026

Press Release, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Treatment Court

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Jan. 13, 2026
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us or 605.773.2031

Pennington County Mental Health Court to Hold Graduation on January 20

PIERRE, S.D.—Pennington County Mental Health Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, at 3 p.m. MST in Courtroom C5 (third floor) of the Pennington County Courthouse at 315 St. Joseph St. in Rapid City. 

The Pennington County Mental Health Court team invites the public to join them in celebrating the graduate’s accomplishments and success. The featured speaker will be Andrea Kost, a case manager at West River Mental Health. 

The ceremony will also be streamed live online at www.sd.net/UJSCourt6 for those who cannot attend in person.

Pennington County Mental Health Court was established in Rapid City in 2019. Mental Health Court’s goal is recovery, not just sobriety. “Recovery” is defined as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives and strive to reach their full potential.

Treatment courts are the most effective intervention for helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders transition from the criminal justice system into lives of recovery, stability and contribution. Learn more about South Dakota’s treatment courts at https://ujs.sd.gov/programs-services/treatment-courts. 

For more information about Pennington County Mental Health Court, contact Treatment Court Coordinator Richard Olauson at 605-381-2441 or richard.olauson@ujs.state.sd.us. 

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About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov.