Our Work
The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM) is developing sustainable solutions to reduce all forms of child maltreatment in South Dakota, beginning with child sexual abuse. CPCM’s work aligns with the CDC’s Resources for Action for Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention, so we engage in and support in strategies to:
- Strengthen economic supports to families.
- Change social norms to support parents and positive parenting.
- Provide quality care and education early in life.
- Enhance parenting skills to promote healthy child development.
- Intervene to lessen harms and prevent future risk.
The three pillars of our work are:
Know
Understanding risk is the foundation of effective action. CPCM gathers and analyzes data, promotes awareness, integrates research and evidence-based practices, and supports a shared understanding of how child maltreatment affects South Dakota families and communities, including the specific disparities and considerations that impact Native American children and families.
Respond
When risk or harm is identified, response must be timely, effective, and coordinated. CPCM supports professionals and systems through training, technical assistance, and practical guidance with an emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches and culturally responsive practice.
Prevent
Prevention means working upstream, before harm occurs. CPCM strengthens workforce capacity, supports policies and practices that promote safety and whole-child wellbeing, and works to improve the long-term conditions that allow children and families to thrive.
Adverse Child Experiences Training – In partnership with ACE Interface, multiple ACEs training formats are available by request for South Dakota communities, organizations, and groups.
Enough Abuse Training –Provides adults and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to put an end to the silence of child sexual abuse. Multiple training topics are available for free by request.
Children’s Wellbeing Data Initiative – The State of the South Dakota Children’s Wellbeing Data Initiative is an annual report that improves tracking and monitoring of child wellbeing.
Policymakers and Early Childhood Brain Development – This 2025 report provides insights into how South Dakota’s leaders view the earliest years of life and the policies that shape children’s opportunities to thrive.
Child & Adult Advocacy Studies Training – Training opportunities for educators to increase knowledge on mandatory reporting, suicide prevention, multidisciplinary approaches, and trauma-informed interventions.
Court Improvement Program Training Series – Monthly online training series for attorneys, judges, and other multidisciplinary professionals working with families involved in abuse and neglect cases.
Mandatory Reporter Training – Free, online training for mandatory reporters and members of the public who want to be educated in recognizing signs of child maltreatment.
Multidisciplinary Response Teams – Fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary response teams across South Dakota.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Learning Collaborative – Coordinates resources, provides support, and delivers ongoing education to healthcare professionals to improve the access and delivery of services to all victims of sexual assault.
Businesses for Babies – An initiative that highlights South Dakota businesses that support families through family-forward policies.
SD Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems – A statewide collaboration to help ensure a strong start for South Dakota children.
End Online Child Abuse – A community awareness campaign to strengthen safe use of online platforms by youth.
Resilient Communities – Provides a framework to support community coalitions in addressing child maltreatment and strengthen families.
WIC CIAO – Provides support and strengthens families through innovative outreach to create access to necessary nutrition.
