SD ECCS April 2026 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.
Touchpoints Series
Check out the upcoming Touchpoint webinars below and be sure to register to join the conversation.
April 14 | 12-1pm CT
Connecting Families to Care: Maternal & Infant Health Resource Promotion and Mapping in South Dakota presented by Katelyn Strasser, MPH, RN, Deputy Division Director, Family and Community Health, SD Department of Health and Samantha Mart, Program Specialist, Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas
May 12 | 12-1pm CT
Eliminating Childhood Lead Exposure: The South Dakota Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program presented by Brooke Lusk, Black Hills Special Services
You can also now view the most recent Touchpoint session at SDCPCM.com/ECCS.
Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month
upport the effort to end child maltreatment in April by:
- Participate in Wear Blue Day.
- Attend the ECCS or CIP monthly training session.
- Download and customize graphics and templates for social media and email.
- Refresh your knowledge with the Recognizing and Reporting Child Maltreatment online course.
RESOURCES
The Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap guides state leaders on the most effective investments to ensure all children thrive from the start. Grounded in the science of the developing child and based on the most rigorous evidence available, the Roadmap details the state actions that foster the nurturing environments infants and toddlers need, and that reduce longstanding racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in access and outcomes.
👉 Find it here: https://pn3policy.org/pn-3-state-policy-roadmap-2025/
Learn the Signs, Act Early Materials
Free Learn the Signs, Act Early (LTSAE) materials are still available. Use this form Order CDC Learn the Signs Act Early (LTSAE) Materials – Fill out form if you only want to order the Milestone Moments books and children’s books for 1-3 year-olds. To order all materials, use this form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ActEarlySD.
