January 2026 Newsletter
In this issue:
- 2025 Annual Report
- Children’s Day at the Capitol – January 21, 22
- 2026 Legislative Session Education Brief
- ECCS Touchpoints, January 13
- Court Improvement Program Training, January 28
- Growing Together: A Master Class in Child Development Professional Inquiry
2025 Annual Report
CPCM’s 2025 Annual Report highlights another year of meaningful progress in strengthening South Dakota’s response to and prevention of child maltreatment. While this report captures CPCM’s core work, it also reflects the dedication of professionals, partners, and community members across the state who contribute every day to improving child and family well-being. Thank you for the role you continue to play in this shared effort.
This past year, our organization advanced several key initiatives that expand knowledge, build capacity, and promote safety for children:
- A new study on early childhood brain development—How Policymakers in South Dakota Understand and Make Decisions About Early Childhood Brain Development—provided valuable insight into how state and local leaders view the earliest years of life and the policies that support strong beginnings. The report revealed broad consensus on children’s needs, alongside clear opportunities to strengthen data, communication, and resources.
- More than 2,400 South Dakotans have completed the online Recognizing & Reporting Child Maltreatment course, including 779 in 2025 alone—a 50% increase over the prior year. This accessible, online course continues to strengthen our state’s ability to recognize and respond to child abuse and neglect.
- More than 300 individuals participated in professional development opportunities through SD Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (SD-ECCS) Collaborative increasing understanding of child development and state services.
- 7 businesses were CPCM’s inaugural Businesses for Babies, which recognizes employers with family-forward policies.
This important work is only possible because of the strong partnerships and shared commitment that exist across South Dakota. Together, we remain focused on empowering professionals, families, and communities with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent maltreatment, support healing, and ensure that every child in our state has the opportunity to thrive.
Thank you for your continued collaboration and dedication.
Senator Tim Reed
2025 Advisory Board Chair
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.
Children’s Day at the Capitol Schedule
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
Thank You Children’s Day Sponsors
American Heart Association of South Dakota
Bikers Against Child Abuse
BIRTH-SD-AIM
Bright Start Home Visiting
Call to Freedom
Children’s Home Society of South Dakota
Child’s Voice at Sanford Health
Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment
Delta Dental
Early Learner SD
Kinship South Dakota
Lutheran Social Services of SD
McCrossan Boys Ranch
Our Home, Inc.
SD Afterschool Network
SD Alliance of the YMCAs
SD Association of Youth Care Providers
SD DOH Office of Lifespan Health
SD DSS Divisions of Child Protection Services and Behavioral Health
SD Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault
SD Association of Education of the Young Child
University of South Dakota, School of Health Sciences
2026 Legislative Session Education Brief
Who We Are
The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM) advances statewide efforts to strengthen families, prevent child maltreatment, and improve child and family wellbeing. We provide neutral, evidence-based education to partners and policymakers on the systems that influence child safety, family stability, and long-term outcomes.
We do not lobby for specific bills. We share data, research, and insights to help leaders understand the impact of policy decisions on South Dakota children, families, and communities.
Why This Work Matters
Ensuring a strong start for South Dakota children begins with strengthening the families raising them and the communities that support them. Many parents are navigating trauma, poverty, behavioral health challenges, and complex caregiving responsibilities. Supporting families early prevents costly downstream consequences in child protection, foster care, health care, behavioral health, and corrections.
A System of Levers
Changes in one area of public policy create ripple effects across others. For example:
- Reduce support for families → Increased CPS involvement
- Increased CPS involvement → Higher foster care and court costs
- Childhood trauma → Long-term behavioral health and corrections costs
- When we support families early, we prevent far more costly interventions later.
Prevention work isn’t charity. It’s a fiscally responsible investment in South Dakota’s future.
To see CPCM’s 2026 Priorities and Issue Briefs, visit SDCPCM.com/our-work/legislative-activity/
SD ECCS
The December recording, Understanding Autism in Early Childhood (0–3 Years) is now available for viewing.
Join us for upcoming ECCS Touchpoints webinars:
Safe Sleep presented by Laurel Rick and Lexi Ortiz , SD Department of Health
BabyReady in SD: How Enhanced Medicaid Prenatal Care Delivers Better Beginnings presented by Valerie Kelly, SD Department of Social Services
Strengthening the Prenatal-to-Three System: Policy and Governance Strengths and Opportunities for all South Dakota Children presented by Dr. Cynthia Osborne of the Prenatal-to-Three (PN-3) Policy Impact Center at Vanderbilt University
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 presented by Ashley Asmus, SD Department of Social Services
Foster Care Training/Qualification presented by Jennifer Mueller, SD Department of Social Services and Alex Van Voorhis, CPCM
Understanding Kinship Care, Foster Care, and Placement presented by Katie Larson, SD Department of Social Services
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:
