South Dakota social services secretary departs as governor names interim successor

Matt Althoff has stepped down as secretary of the South Dakota Department of Social Services, effective immediately, Gov. Larry Rhoden’s office said Friday while also announcing an interim replacement.

Althoff has led the department since his appointment by former Gov. Kristi Noem in 2023. The department oversees the state’s social services programs, including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, child welfare and foster care, child care assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and behavioral health services.

Brenda Tidball-Zeltinger will serve as the interim secretary. Tidball-Zeltinger was deputy secretary under Althoff and has 35 years of experience in state government, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office.

“Social Services is there for families during some of the most difficult times in their lives, and that responsibility inspires our work every day,” Tidball-Zeltinger said. “I am truly blessed to serve alongside employees who are committed to strengthening families through compassionate service and responsible stewardship.”

Rhoden said he appreciates Althoff’s service and recognizes “the significant time, long hours and extensive travel he committed to leading the agency.” The news release said Althoff is leaving “with a desire to spend more of his time in Sioux Falls closer to his family.”

“I’m full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve South Dakota in this capacity for the past few years,” Althoff said, “and I trust that the people of the Department will continue to strengthen families by fostering health, wellbeing, and independence.”

Althoff led the department through significant federal funding uncertainty, including changes shifting SNAP costs to states and imposing work requirements on some Medicaid recipients, and navigated Medicaid expansion — approved by voters in 2022 and implemented in 2023.

The department backtracked or was forced to backtrack after resistance from lawmakers or the public to several decisions during Althoff’s tenure, including cuts to TANF benefits, a proposed overhaul of hospital Medicaid reimbursements and changes to child care assistance payments.