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SD ECCS June 2023 Update

June 2023 SD Early Childhood Comprehensive System Update

Join the Statewide Efforts to Ensure and Strong Start for Children

The SD Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) grant is 5-year federal grant from HRSA held for South Dakota by the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM) at the USD School of Health Sciences. CPCM is working with several state and community agencies on this grant that aims to increase collaboration and effectiveness of state and community-level systems serving families and young children, especially those up to 3 years-old.

Together, we can ensure a stronger start for South Dakota’s children, and, by doing so, decrease risk factors for ACEs and increase protective factors that contribute to child-wellbeing and safety. Learn more and sign up for updates at SDCPCM.com/ECCS

SD ECCS Vision

Our vision: All South Dakota children are ensured a strong start through access to a range of parenting, education, health, and family support services within a coordinated delivery system.

Learn more and sign up for updates at SDCPCM.com/ECCS

CPCM Secures WIC CIAO Grant

The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM), a center of the University of South Dakota, has been awarded a $1 million grant to implement a WIC Community Innovation and Outreach Project (WIC CIAO). WIC CIAO is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service and aims to support efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative outreach strategies to increase awareness, participation, and benefit redemption in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and reduce disparities in program delivery.

“Too many women and children in South Dakota are missing out on the nutrition they need in order to thrive,” said Darla Biel, interim director of the CPCM. “We are proud to be part of this critical initiative to identify new ways of connecting people to WIC. Overall, the WIC program aligns with several child abuse prevention strategies by providing support and education to parents, strengthening families, building social connections, screening for risk factors, and providing parenting support.”

Learn more at https://sdcpcm.com/wic

HRSA ECCS All-Awardee Meeting

ECCS awardees from 20-states recently attended a 2-day meeting at the Health and Human Resources Administration headquarters. Attending from South Dakota were Darbi Hunt, SD ECCS Family Lead and Darla Biel, Interim Director and ECCS Lead.

Early Literacy for Providers and Families

The Statewide Family Engagement Center is offering training sessions in August and September. Early Literacy for Providers and Families teaches strategies to support young children’s language and literacy skills to increase their school readiness in home and childcare environments. This unique class is a great opportunity for families and providers to strengthen partnerships and support the children in their care, but may be taken individually. Participants will learn to apply evidence-based strategies in individualized ways.

A $100 stipend is available for all providers and family members from South Dakota who complete the class, and providers who attend with a family member of a child they support will receive an additional $25.

Learn more at https://sdsfec.org/learning.

Early Learner Summit Date Set

The 2023 Early Learner Summit will be held September 21-22 in Brookings. The two day summit agenda will include valuable discussions on early childhood education in South Dakota, business solutions, sustainability updates, and networking opportunities.

Learn more at https://www.earlylearnersd.org/elsd-summit.

Celebrating the National Maternal Health Hotline’s First Anniversary

The Health and Human Resources Administration (HRSA) is celebrating the first anniversary of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline! Since its launch, the Hotline’s professional counselors have provided emotional support, resources, and referrals to pregnant and postpartum individuals who struggle with mental health concerns and their loved ones. Please also note that they have a toll-free, easy-to-remember number: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). New promotional materials are available for download or print order. If you or someone you know is a new or expecting parent who is struggling and in need of emotional support or resources, call or text now. The Hotline can be reached 24/7.

National Maternal Health Innovation Symposium

Registration is now open for the 4th annual National Maternal Health Innovation Symposium. The event is hosted by MCHB’s awardee, the Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center. The symposium provides trusted, evidence-driven, and community-centered approaches to advance maternal health equity. The Symposium will be held in-person in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 2-3, 2023 and virtually on August 9-10, 2023. This is a free event.

Share your news!

If you are working collaboratively across sectors to ensure a strong start for South Dakota’s children, especially prenatally up to age 3yo, please send your updates to [email protected]. We’d love to learn more and help raise awareness of your efforts and successes.