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.

Touchpoints Series

Check out the upcoming Touchpoint webinars below and be sure to register to join the conversation.

February 10 | 12-1pm CT

BabyReady in South Dakota: How Enhanced Medicaid Prenatal Care Delivers Better Beginnings presented by Valerie Kelly, SD Department of Social Services

March 10 | 12-1pm CT

Strengthening the Prenatal-to-Three System: Policy and Governance Strengths and Opportunities for all South Dakota Children presented by Dr. Cynthia Osborne, Prenatal-to-Three (PN-3) Policy Impact Center at Vanderbilt University

You can also now view the most recent Touchpoint session at SDCPCM.com/ECCS.

Legislative Brief and Issue Statements

The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM) advances statewide efforts to strengthen families, prevent child maltreatment, and improve child and family wellbeing. We provide neutral, evidence-based education to partners and policymakers on the systems that influence child safety, family stability, and long-term outcomes.

Along with a Legislative Session Education Brief, CPCM has created easy to reference issue briefs on the following topics:

• Affordable High-Quality Child Care
• Community-Based Doula Services
• Early Childhood Investments Pay Off
• Developing the Future Workforce
• Household Economic Security
• Paid Family and Medical Leave

The issue briefs include current facts and information, action items, and local stories. Find CPCM’s 2026 Legislative Session Education Brief as well as Issue Briefs on six childhood topics at https://sdcpcm.com/our-work/legislative-activity/.

RESOURCES