Growing a Better Tomorrow for all Children, Together
Support the effort to end child maltreatment in April by:
- Promoting and attending the Ray of Hope event.
- Schedule a Adverse Childhood Experiences training for your organization or community.
- Share, follow, and like CPCM’s posts on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
- Become a Blue Ambassador
- Commit to wearing blue on Wear Blue Day in South Dakota: Tuesday, April 4, 2023
- Use provided social media kit to share posts online and by email.
- Use #knowrespondprevent and #childabusepreventionmonth

Understanding and Responding to Problematic Sexualized Behavior
April 3-8: Available to view for a limited time.
During the month of April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, CPCM is opening access to view 2022 Community Response to Child Abuse Conference Sessions! This is an opportunity for those who were unable to attend the conference to access these valuable training sessions.
Did you know that between 30% – 40% of all child sexual abuse cases involve one minor sexually acting out on another youth. These types of cases are unique in that the children/youth are often in the same family and household. It is vital to understand how to recognize and respond to these behaviors with early intervention and increased supervision. Through this workshop we will work to establish a general understanding of these types of situations, as well as learn how to model behavior to disrupt the behavior. How we respond matters!
To view additional sessions from the 2022 Community Response to Child Abuse Conference, register for access to the on-demand portal.
South Dakota Wear Blue Day to Prevent Child Abuse
April 4: Wear Blue Day
On April 4, wear blue! We are “Growing a Better Tomorrow For All Children, Together.” Join us in sharing your support, by wearing blue on April 4 and sharing an image on social media.
- Arc of Dreams in Sioux Falls will be lit blue April 4-7.
- Main Street Square in Rapid City will be lit blue on April 4.
Ray of Hope: Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast
April 4: Ray of Hope event
Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM) invites you to join us in commemorating this important month by raising awareness of how we can help our fellow South Dakotans know about, respond to, and prevent child maltreatment.
Partner Opportunity: April Learning Series – Children’s Home Society
April 4, 11, 18, 25: Enough Abuse series – understand child sexual abuse, recognize the signs, and learn strategies for preventing. Online classes, registration required.
Tales from the Apparatus: The Teddy Guzman Story
April 10-15: Available to view for a limited time.
During the month of April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, CPCM is opening access to view 2022 Community Response to Child Abuse Conference Sessions! This is an opportunity for those who were unable to attend the conference to access these valuable training sessions.
In 2017, what started as a childhood slumber party turned into a multi-victim rape investigation. Follow the case of Theodore Guzman from first disclosure through trial (and a re-trial!) after an extensive investigation yields four child sexual assault victims. A shocking case of disappointment, surprise, tears and ultimately triumph – it is ultimately the story of why we do what we do. This presentation will highlight the value of medical evidence, forensic interviews, foster parents, social workers, investigators and prosecutors (all of us, whom the defense team called “The Apparatus” in closing arguments) and why a multi-disciplinary approach and team are invaluable to the protection of child sexual assault victims.
To view additional sessions from the 2022 Community Response to Child Abuse Conference, register for access to the on-demand portal.
Partner Opportunity: Brookings County Child Protection Team
April 14: Mayoral Proclamation Signing – all are invited to Kool Beans at 7:45am for a mayoral signing with light breakfast provided.
Increased Risk of Maltreatment for Children with Disabilities (free training)
April 17: Increased Risk of Maltreatment for Children with Disabilities
Child abuse, maltreatment, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are serious public health concerns that can have long-term impacts on health, opportunity, and well-being. This presentation will provide a brief introduction to the work of CPCM and the SD Center for Disabilities, and discuss the increased risk of maltreatment for children with disabilities.
Preventing Child Maltreatment through Parent Training
April 17-22: Available to view for a limited time.
During the month of April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, CPCM is opening access to view 2022 Community Response to Child Abuse Conference Sessions! This is an opportunity for those who were unable to attend the conference to access these valuable training sessions.
Common parenting patterns of parents who physically abuse their children will be discussed, which include inconsistent responses to their child’s behavior, developmentally-inappropriate expectations of the child, ineffective strategies at managing their child’s behaviors, and escalating emotional reactions to the child. Pathways from parental frustration to abusive behaviors will be explained. The audience will learn specific strategies that can be taught to parents to reduce the likelihood of physical abuse and to strengthen the parent-child relationship. An evidence-based parent-training intervention, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, will be described.
To view additional sessions from the 2022 Community Response to Child Abuse Conference, register for access to the on-demand portal.
Partner Opportunity: Codington Connects Day
April 18: Join us at the Watertown Events Center for a day full of training, networking, and celebrating the designation of Codington County as our second Resilient Community in the state. Registration requested.
Partner Opportunity: Indigenous Sovereignty and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) – Alliance for Early Success
April 19: Online webinar attendees will learn from Native American and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) leaders about the cultural importance of extended family, elders, and community; the nuts and bolts of ICWA; and state-level advocacy to ensure that the protections established by ICWA are maintained in states even if the federal law is overturned. Registration required.
Partner Opportunity: Early Childhood Enrichment – Sanford Health CHILD Services
April 22: Saturday Spectacular – three classes for childcare providers: Physical Abuse 101, Grooming 101, and Sexual Abuse 10. Hybrid classes at the Schroeder Auditorium and online. Registration is required by calling the Sanford Children’s CHILD Services at 605-312-8390 or 800-235-5923.
Court Improvement Program Training
April 26: Civil vs Criminal Child Abuse and Neglect Cases presented by Colleen Moran in conjunction with the State Bar – Join us for our April session of the Court Improvement Program, presented in conjunction with the State Bar in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Contribute to the success of this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month by joining our Blue Ambassadors team. We’ll send you compelling content that you can share with your networks through the month of April! All you have to do is share the content with your friends on social media or by email. A form to sign up is included below.
New this year! Blue Ambassadors will receive “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” bundles to spread the word about this resource in their communities!
Questions? Contact [email protected] for additional information.
Graphics and Templates:
Graphics Examples:
Download zip file. Includes 25 graphics.
Email Template:
Download email template. Insert into preferred email client to edit.
Templates:
Download pdf file. Includes graphics captions for social media, additional social media content, email template, news release template.
Social Media Follow and Share:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDCPCM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdcpcm/
South Dakota Resources:
https://dss.sd.gov/childprotection/nationalchildabuse.aspx
National Resources:
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/