September 2025 Newsletter
In this issue:
- Businesses for Babies: First Fidelity Bank
- Final Call: Community Response to Child Abuse Conference
- Share Your Story: Paid Family and Medical Leave
- ECCS Touchpoints, September 9
- Court Improvement Program Training
- Children’s Advocacy Centers of SD Free Training
- Survey: Professionals Working with Children with Trauma
Businesses for Babies
First Fidelity Bank
South Dakota Locations: Burke, Bonesteel, Colome, Draper, Fort Pierre, Gregory, Murdo, Platte, Presho, White River, Winner
✔️Family/Medical Leave
✔️Flexible Work Schedule
✔️Breastfeeding Friendly
✔️Telecommuting
“For 120 years, First Fidelity Bank has been built on a family-first mindset. A lot has changed in how we work, but our values have stayed the same. Supporting the family priorities of our coworkers and customers isn’t just part of our culture—it’s also championed by our leadership as the foundation of our long-standing success.”
Kelsea Kenzy Sutton, Compliance Officer & Corporate Counsel
Is your business for babies?
Learn more about the power of family-forward work policies as a primary prevention strategy and nominate a South Dakota business to be featured.
Registration Closes Soon: Join us Oct 2-3
Have you made plans to join us for the Community Response to Child Abuse Conference? Last year’s conferenced reached maximum capacity and registration closed early, don’t miss out – register today!
Last year’s conference participants shared:
- Very well organized and a great variety of speakers. Wonderful learning experience.
- This is my favorite conference! Always high-quality and high-level organizations!
- It was incredibly encouraging to see individuals and organizations come together to better understand how to keep families safe!
- Every year has valuable information that is relevant to my job, my passion, etc.
Attendees will be able to hear from national and regional speakers on topics that will help professionals and the public better understand child abuse and strengthen response efforts.
Keynote addresses will include:
- Be the Difference: Belonging is the Support We Need, Gaelin Elmore, Speaker, Trainer, and Belonging Expert
- Parenting Pathways: Real Talk with Real Providers, Panel Discussion
- Hope in Action: Turning Struggle into Strength, Tifanie Petro, Victim Services Director, Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office
Registration Options:
Professional – $150
Student – $75
Conference hosts are SD Unified Judicial System, Sanford Health-Child’s Voice, and Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment.
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Have you or someone in your family benefited from Paid Family and Medical Leave? Your story could help shape the future for other SD families!
The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment is collecting real stories to show the impact of family forward policies. Please consider sharing your experience using the survey below.
What to expect:
- Your story or quote may be shared publicly (e.g., on social media, presentations, or campaigns).
- You may choose to remain anonymous or be recognized by name and photo—it’s up to you.
- Some participants may be invited to record a brief (10-15 min) video interview in Sioux Falls if selected.
Your voice can help shape the future of family-forward policies in South Dakota. We are collecting real stories to show the impact of paid family and medical leave – your story could help drive change. Visit southdakota.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cATZkTwcl0Wwtls to share your Paid Family and Medical Leave story today!
SD ECCS
The August recording, SDPQC, Perinatal Mental Health Disorders, and the Impact on Children Age 0-3, is now available for viewing.
September 9 | 12-1pm CT
The Power of Family Voice
Speakers: Steph Wiegand, Family Leader; Elizabeth Welfl, Family Leader; Darbi Hunt, ECCS Family Lead and Community and Family Services Early Childhood Projects Director
Growing Together: Understanding and Supporting Early Childhood Development
The three-part series is now available for viewing on the SDCPCM.com Training Library.
Court Improvement Program
The August session, Understanding the Landscape of Family Support Services, is now available to view.
Join us for upcoming CIP trainings:
October 22 | 12-1pm CT
The Role of the Child’s Attorney in Child Welfare Cases
November 19| 12-1pm CT
Utilizing Native American Lakota Culture to Heal and Examine Social Determinants of Tribal Health and Persevering Through Unsolved Trauma
Learn more at SDCPCM.com/CIP.
Children’s Advocacy Centers of South Dakota Networking and Social Event
October 1 | 6:30-8:45pm at Sanford Event Barn, Sioux Falls
Free registration:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the three key areas when working with Native Nations
- Identify critical factors that influence relationship-building with Tribal partners
- Reflect on their own practices and explore next steps for collaboration
Research Project
USD Professors, Dr. Kelly Bass and Shana Cerny are conducting research to highlight the overlaps and distinct areas of expertise that a variety of disciplines contribute to the interprofessional team when working with children and families who have experienced trauma. If you are a licensed professional with experience working with children with histories of trauma, please complete the linked survey – it should take no more than 15 minutes.
