A long-time Catholic Diocese chancellor will head the state of South Dakota’s social services office.

Gov. Kristi Noem Friday announced the appointment of Matt Althoff to serve as secretary of the South Dakota Department of Social Services following the retirement of DSS Secretary Laurie Gill.

Althoff joins state government after working for the Diocese of Sioux Falls for the past 15 years, notably assisting the late Bishop Paul Swain in developing the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, a homeless outreach facility in Sioux Falls.

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