April 2026 Newsletter
In this issue:
- Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month Resources
- Message from Director
- ECCS Touchpoints, April 14
- Court Improvement Program Training, April 29
- Call for Presenters
Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month
Support 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.
Message from Director
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize that preventing child abuse and neglect is not the responsibility of any one system, but a shared commitment across families, communities, and the policies that shape them.
At the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment, we approach this work through a public health lens, focusing not only on responding when harm occurs, but on strengthening the conditions that help families thrive in the first place. When families have access to stable housing, quality child care, supportive workplaces, and strong community connections, the risk of abuse and neglect decreases.
This month, I invite each of us to reflect on the role we play. Prevention happens in everyday moments such as supporting a neighbor, creating family-friendly workplaces, strengthening systems, and advancing informed policies that reduce stress on families.
Together, we can build communities where children are safe, supported, and able to reach their full potential.
Chrissie Young
Director
Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment
SD ECCS
The March recording, Strengthening the Prenatal-to-Three System: Policy and Governance Strengths and Opportunities for all South Dakota Children, is now available for viewing.
Join us for upcoming ECCS Touchpoints webinars:
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
Eliminating Childhood Lead Exposure: The South Dakota Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program presented by Brooke Lusk, Black Hills Special Services
Court Improvement Program
The March session, Understanding Kinship Care, Foster Care, and Placement, is now available to view.
Join us for upcoming CIP Trainings:
Trauma-Informed Legal Practice presented by Carrie Gonsor Sanderson
Intersections with Criminal Law, Domestic Violence, SANE Exams presented by Tracey Decker, SD Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault and Jen Canton, Avera
2026 Legislative Session Review presented by Senator Tim Reed
Call for Presenters
Proposals are now being accepted for Community Response to Child Abuse Conference presenters.
Share your expertise and best practices with multidisciplinary members from across the region. Help our state to build knowledge in ways to respond to and prevent child maltreatment. Submit your proposal or recommend other speakers by April 30.
Visit https://sdcpcm.com/news/conference/call-for-presenters/ to submit your proposal or learn more.
