With more than 500 South Dakotans attending, the 24^th Annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference, begins on October 3 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

The attendees representing 130 regional organizations, schools, and businesses will hear from national and regional speakers on topics that will help professionals and the public better understand child abuse and strengthen response efforts.

The professional training and educational opportunities are geared toward teachers, medical professionals, school officials, dentists, law enforcement, social workers, mental health providers, youth service providers, the legal community and other community members and child advocates.

Keynote addresses will include:

• The Digital Child presented by Warren Binford, International Children’s Rights Scholar and Advocate
• The Question is How presented by Sean Covel, Film and Television Producer
• Understanding Vulnerable Child Syndrome presented by Suzanne Starling, MD, Board Certified Child Abuse Pediatrician and Professor of Pediatrics

Conference participants can choose from multiple breakout session opportunities. Examples of additional learning opportunities include:

• 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

Conference hosts are South Dakota’s Unified Judicial System Court Improvement Program, Child’s Voice at Sanford Health, and Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment at the University of South Dakota. Conference details and registration are available at https://SDCPCM.com/Conference.