More than 430 professionals in the child advocacy field attended the 25^th Annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference, held October 2-3 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:

• Hope in Action: Turning Struggle into Strength presented by Tifanie Petro, Victim Services Director, Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office
• Utilizing Tribal ICWA and CPS Task Forces and States of Emergency for Optimal Outcomes and to Exercise Sovereignty: A Case from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the ICWA Coalition of Sioux Tribes presented by Alicia Mousseau, Susan Schrader, Jessica Morson, and Shaina Johnson
• Mastering the Stand: Best Practices for Testifying as an Expert Witness in Criminal Trials presented by Sarah Thorne
• Understanding the Building Blocks of Attachment presented by Karen Rieck

 The conference was opened with a message from Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen of the South Dakota Unified Judicial System and song and prayer led by Inyan Hocoka Singers from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

Gaelin Elmore, speaker, trainer, and belonging expert, opened the conference with the keynote Be the Difference: Belonging is the Support We, which provided an overview of the importance of belonging in fostering resilience and positive outcomes.

The Outstanding Service Award was presented to Hollie Strand, Forensic Examiner, Internet Crimes Against Children, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Hollie Strand was one of the initial Task Force members to get CPCM implemented. Hollie’s passion for children and families is contagious, and her allied partners are vicariously inspired to do more!

As part of her work, she provides education and awareness across the age-spectrum and also does training for diverse, underserved population groups who would otherwise not receive information regarding the complex dynamics necessary to work toward ending child maltreatment.

Hollie constantly volunteers her own time as well, on top of a full work schedule, to increase awareness and educate in the broadest range of context in venues around the country. During her career, Hollie has forensically interviewed more than 1200 children who have disclosed sexual abuse. Additionally, countless numbers of teens and adults have been assisted by Hollie in a law enforcement, advocacy, or training capacity. Hollie has also chaired the West River Human Trafficking Task Force, serving as the coalition-builder, bringing together the multiple disciplines and non-governmental organizations to make a positive difference in lives of children being exploited for sex and to hold perpetrators accountable.

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; and University of South Dakota, School of Health Sciences.