Pennington County Mental Health Court will host a graduation ceremony on January 20, 2026, at 3 p.m. MST in Courtroom C5 of the Pennington County Courthouse in Rapid City. The event is open to the public, and Andrea Kost, a case manager at West River Mental Health, will serve as the featured speaker.
The ceremony will also be available for online viewing at www.sd.net/UJSCourt6 for those unable to attend in person.
Established in 2019 in Rapid City, Pennington County Mental Health Court aims to support individuals’ recovery rather than focusing solely on 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.”
The court team highlights that treatment courts are considered an effective way to help people with substance use and mental health disorders move from the criminal justice system into more stable lives. More information about South Dakota’s treatment courts can be found at https://ujs.sd.gov/programs-services/treatment-courts.
For further details about Pennington County Mental Health Court or the upcoming ceremony, Treatment Court Coordinator Richard Olauson can be contacted by phone or email.
