Community orientation classes are intended to give clients information about U.S. culture, local practices and procedures. Classes are provided in the client’s native language through interpreters. Classes are intended to give clients the information they need to be self-sufficient and independent in their new community. The information provided is meant to be the basic building blocks of starting life anew in a new community.

Community orientation is offered once a month. The orientation lasts for a total of 30 hours. All adult members of the family are to attend all sessions. Day care is provided on-site for children, thus making it more accessible for all family members to attend orientation.

The curriculum is broken down into many topics that relate to U.S. culture or specifically to life in Sioux Falls and in South Dakota. The topics are in an order that relate to one another. The topics that are covered in the orientation include:

• Communication
• Public Transportation
• Identification
• Money
• Housing
• Automobiles
• Health
• Safety
• Education
• Family Issues
• Immigration & Citizenship
• Self-sufficiency
• Job Opportunities, Applications & References
• Looking For A job
• Interviews
• Job Safety
• Job Success

LSS offers young adult orientation targeted toward teenagers and young adults. This orientation lasts for five weeks and is geared toward topics such as school, GED’s and other teen issues. The young adult orientation also includes off-site visits such as tours of the local University, technical school, and local corporations that hire young adults. Young adult orientation is offered on an as-needed basis.