More than 500 professionals in the child advocacy field attended the 24^th Annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference, held October 3-4 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

The conference provided professional training and educational opportunities for child protection workers, teachers, medical professionals, dentists, law enforcement, social workers, mental health providers, youth service providers, the legal community and community members and child advocates.

Presenters discussed topics relevant to the well-being of children and families including:

• The Negative Impact of Social Media on Child and Adolescent Mental Health presented by A. R. Ascano
• When the Perpetrator is a Child presented by Warren Binford
• Family First Prevention: Next Steps presented by Ashley Schlichenmayer-Okroi
• Indigenous Approach to Addiction Healing and Mental Health Management presented by Gene Tyon

 The conference was opened with a message from Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen of the South Dakota Unified Judicial System and performance by Cheyenne War Bonnett and Family.

Warren Binford, international children’s rights scholar and advocate opened the conference with the keynote The Digital Child, which provided an overview of the latest research on how digital experiences are changing children’s lives in the 21^st Century.

The Outstanding Service Award was presented to Teresa Nieto, Supervisory Social Worker for the Great Plains Region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Teresa has been a tireless advocate for Indigenous youth in South Dakota for decades. responsibilities to ensure Native youth in South Dakota are given every opportunity to avoid entering systems that have historically failed them.  Among the numerous boards and committees, she participates in, she serves as an Advisory Board Member for CPCM, taking an active role in our Tribal Workgroup Committee, and also serves on the Tribal Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) state committee. Teresa contributes a wealth of knowledge and expertise and also brings an unwavering passion for improving the lives of youth. Often the sole Indigenous expert in many discussions, she consistently advocates for the Native community with courage and conviction.

Conference co-hosts included Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment at the University of South Dakota, South Dakota’s Unified Judicial System Court Improvement Program and Child’s Voice at Sanford Health. Conference sponsors included Department of Social Services, Division of Child Protection Services; Mud Mile Communications; Avera Health; University of South Dakota, School of Health Sciences; Children’s Advocacy Centers of SD; and Volunteers of America, Dakotas.