SD ECCS May 2025 Update
Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems: ECCS
Ensuring a strong start for all children can reduce vulnerabilities and prevent ACEs, but it requires collaboration and co-ownership of strategies and solutions. This newsletter provides updates on SD ECCS activities and also provide external learning opportunities, resources and news to increase our shared understanding and ability to ensure a strong start for all South Dakota children.
Survey
The Office of Lifespan Health at the South Dakota Department of Health and the SD Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (SD-ECCS) Initiative at the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM) have developed a short survey to better understand your training needs and preferences around child development, developmental screenings, and family referrals.
Your feedback will shape future training opportunities that support professionals across South Dakota’s health, education, and social service systems.
The survey will remain open through May 15, 2025
Survey link: https://qualtricsxm7wzkqhnvv.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e4LEqiw1jMYDaXY
Touchpoints Series
Check out the upcoming Touchpoints webinars below and be sure to register to join the conversation.
May 13 | 12-1pm CST
Cultural Birthing Practices as a Protective Factor
Speaker: Camie Goldhammer, LISCW, IBCLC, Full Spectrum Indigenous Doula and Founding Executive Director, Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services
CEUs: Board of Social Work Examiners
June 10 | 12-1pm CT
Engaging Fathers: Enhancing Family-Community Partnerships
Speaker: Keith Ferguson, Black Hills Special Services
CEUs: Board of Social Work Examiners
This session explores the evolving role of fathers in early childhood and their unique contributions to children’s learning and well-being. Participants will gain insights into strategies to enhance father engagement, overcome common barriers, and create inclusive, welcoming environments across early learning settings. Through hands-on activities, scenario-based exercises, and collaborative discussions, attendees will leave with actionable tools and a deeper understanding of how to empower fathers as active partners while fostering cross-sector collaboration and a culture of mutual respect.
You can now view the most recent Touchpoints Session at SDCPCM.com/ECCS.
Businesses for Babies
Family-forward workplace policies ARE a primary prevention resource. Family-forward policies benefit the business, families, and South Dakota children. Please join us in recognizing First Bank & Trust, one of our Businesses for Babies!
Is your business for babies? Learn more about the power of family-forward work policies as a primary prevention strategy and nominate a South Dakota business to be featured.
Other Partner Updates and News
Avera MARCH Center
May 15 at 12pm | Every Mother Every Baby: Understanding Health Challenges in South Dakota
Fabricia Latterell, MPH, a Maternal and Child Senior Epidemiologist for the South Dakota Department of Health will host the webinar “Every Mother, Every Baby: Understanding Health Challenges in South Dakota” at noon Thursday, May 15. You can register for the event online.
The free webinar is possible through the Maternal American Indian Rural Community Health (MARCH) Center of Excellence. The webinar will discuss health challenges and solutions in South Dakota for moms and babies.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Explore the Baby Brain Map
The new Baby Brain Map from Zero to Three makes it easy to explore how early experiences shape development and gives simple, real-life ways to support healthy growth and emotional well-being of infants and toddlers. This interactive tool built for early childhood professionals, caregivers and advocates.
Drugs, Alcohol, Pregnancy and the Vulnerable Child
Tuesdays, May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24 | 3:30pm-5:00pm CT
The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) is partnering with Dr. Ira J. Chassnoff, the Founder and President of NTI Upstream, on a training series Drugs, Alcohol, Pregnancy & the Vulnerable Child. James Bell Associates is sponsoring the training series. Each training session is a stand-alone learning opportunity. Participants can register for one or multiple sessions. Learn more and register: https://community.cwla.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1950226
Let’s Connect!
If you would like to learn more about the SD ECCS efforts, provide feedback, or share more about your efforts to ensure a strong start for South Dakota’s youngest children, please email [email protected]. Are you working on some of these goals and strategies–or could they be included in your plans and activities? We’d love to learn more, collaborate, and celebrate your work.
