December 2025 Newsletter
In this issue:
- How Policymakers in South Dakota Understand and Make Decisions About Early Childhood Brain Development: 2025
- Children’s Day at the Capitol – January 21, 22
- The Dad Connection Webinar Series – Recordings Available
- ECCS Touchpoints, December 9
- Court Improvement Program Trainings – Recordings Available
- Growing Together: A Master Class in Child Development Professional Inquiry
- Stronger Families Together: Foster Care Parents Needed
How Policymakers in South Dakota Understand and Make Decisions About Early Childhood Brain Development: 2025
Early Childhood Brain Development (ECBD) is a rapid period of brain activity from the prenatal stage to age three in which early experiences can have lasting consequences on learning, behavior, and health due to the plasticity of the brain during this critical period of development (Kolb, 2009). A new report, published by CPCM, provides insight into how state leaders view the earliest years of life.
Consensus Across Political Parties and State and Local Levels
State and local policymakers agree on what young children and families need.
96.7% of respondents agreed positive, responsive interactions with a caregiver support development.
50% of respondents prioritized access to comprehensive pediatric and primary care.
Knowledge Gaps Exist
South Dakota policymakers may benefit from additional information on the influence of chronic stress, chronic neglect, and trauma on ECBD.
26.6% of respondents disagree or are unsure if investing in services during pregnancy through age three results in long-term fiscal benefits.
13.3% of respondents are unsure if parents’ level of chronic stress affects young children’s brain development.
Differing Priorities
South Dakota policymakers have a range of perspectives on government involvement in ECBD.
86.7% of respondents agree that investing in services for families and children during pregnancy through age three results in long-term social benefits.
73.3% of respondents agree that investing in services during pregnancy through age three results in long-term fiscal benefits.
Investing in children, empowering healthy communities.
Make plans to join us for the Children’s Day at the Capitol! Annually, organizations with an interest in bettering the lives of children and families will gather during the legislative session to inform the public, lawmakers, government staff and other advocates about our work.
Participate in Children’s Day
Event sponsors are integral to bringing a united focus on the well-being of children during the legislative session. Sponsors are recognized in all print and online materials for the day’s activities. Organizations can choose to join us on one of the two days we will be in the Capitol for Children’s Day. Sponsorship level options:
- $250 | Booth space on Wednesday, January 21 (cookies provided in Rotunda with no program). Limited to 10 organizations, 0 spots available.
- $500 | Booth space on Thursday, January 22 (lunch and program provided in Rotunda). Limited to 10 organizations, 2 spots available.
Children’s Day at the Capitol Schedule
Tentative schedule, will be updated as plans are finalized.
Wednesday, January 21
- 8:30am – Participants can begin setting up informational booths
- 9:00am to 12:00pm – Attend committee hearings, meetings with legislators (optional)
- 10:00am to 1:00pm – Informational booths in the Rotunda
- 11:00am to 1:00pm – Cookies and coffee served in the Rotunda
- 12:30pm to 12:45pm – Children’s Day group photo on Rotunda steps
- 5:00pm to 7:00pm – Evening Reception at Drifters Bar & Grille
Thursday, January 22
- 8:30am – Participants can begin setting up informational booths
- 9:00am to 12:00pm – Attend committee hearings, meetings with legislators (optional)
- 10:00am to 1:00pm – Informational booths in the Rotunda
- 11:00am to 12:30pm – Lunch provided in the Rotunda
- 12:00pm – Children’s Day program – Hear from a collaborative from Mitchell, SD about how they are elevating the experiences of their community’s children and educators through transformational gifts to Dakota Wesleyan University and Mitchell School District. This program will highlight the innovative partnerships, professional development pathways, and strategies they’re implementing to strengthen early childhood success.
- 12:30pm to 12:45pm – Children’s Day group photo on Rotunda steps
- 1:00pm – Children’s Day recognized in House and Senate Chambers
Visit https://sdcpcm.com/news/childrens-day/ to learn more.
The Dad Connection Webinar Series
Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment, in partnership with SD Department of Social Services welcomed more 70 training participants to a limited-series online learning opportunity focused on the role of dads.
The Dad Connection series included four webinar learning opportunities presented by J. Michael Hall, Strong Fathers-Strong Families:
- The Different Roles of Mothers and Fathers and How They Best Serve Children
- Co-Parenting and Co-Piloting a Child’s Future
- Fathers and Their Positive Impact on a Child’s Mental Health and Behavior
- Fathers and Their Positive Impact on a Child’s Education Success—Now and in the Future
All training sessions are now available to view online at https://sdcpcm.com/training/the-dad-connection-trainings/.
SD ECCS
The November recording, Businesses for Babies: Strategies to Support South Dakota’s Youngest Families, is now available for viewing.
Join us for upcoming ECCS Touchpoints webinars:
Understanding Autism in Early Childhood (0–3 Years)
Speaker: Aimee Deliramich, PhD, University of South Dakota
Court Improvement Program
The November session, Utilizing Native American Lakota Culture to Heal and Examine Social Determinants of Tribal Health and Persevering Through Unsolved Trauma, is now available to view.
Join us for upcoming CIP Trainings:
Child and Family Services Review: Program Improvement Planning
Growing Together: A Master Class in Child Development Professional Inquiry
Growing Together is an eight-week, online master class designed to deepen professional understanding of child development through exploratory practice — a reflective, inquiry-based approach to learning from one’s own experiences. Participants will engage in meaningful self-study and shared inquiry to collectively explore essential questions about children, families, and their own professional identities.
Trainers: Dr. Jennifer Kampmann & Dr. Andrew Stremmel
Dates: March 2, 9 & 23 and April 13 & 27 (6:30-8:00 p.m. CST)
Capstone Seminar: 1-day seminar and final presentations on 5/8/26 at USD Sioux Falls
Participants will:
- Develop their own question of practice — a personal inquiry into an aspect of their work with children and/or families.
- Engage in reflective, creative, and artistic methods (storying, journaling, observation, conversation).
- Gain confidence as reflective practitioners who continually learn from experience.
- Present their inquiry projects and insights during a collaborative one-day, in-person capstone seminar at USD Sioux Falls. (A stipend will be provided for successfully completing the course and participating in the capstone seminar.)
By the end of this master class, participants will:
- Understand themselves and their practice in new ways.
- Cultivate habits of curiosity, reflection, and professional inquiry.
- Design a sustainable framework for lifelong learning and development
- Build a community of practice with others dedicated to children’s growth and well-being.
For additional details and application instructions, visit:
https://sdcpcm.com/eccs/growing-together-master-class/
Stronger Families Together
Foster and adoptive families are greatly needed in South Dakota. When families are unable to provide safe care for children due to significant challenges they are experiencing, foster families are needed. In addition to providing care for children, foster families also provide encouragement and support to the entire family as they are working to make changes so the children can return home.
Families supporting families is a shared value in South Dakota. By offering a helping hand to other families in our communities, we can build “Stronger Families Together”.
Learn more at https://strongerfamiliestogether.sd.gov/index.aspx.
