Resilient Communities South Dakota

South Dakota children are facing child abuse and maltreatment at an alarming rate. Research shows us that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can disrupt development of an individual’s nervous system, which creates long term health and at-risk behavior linked consequences. There is hope as childhood maltreatment IS preventable and those who have experienced childhood maltreatment can be supported for neurodevelopment rewiring and opportunities for success.

Presently, neighborhoods, systems and communities must work together to build resiliency opportunities. These resiliency opportunities ensure South Dakota children and families have safe, stable, and loving environments in which to grow and thrive. This Resilient Communities: South Dakota initiative will provide South Dakota communities with guidance and support to focus on evidence-based prevention strategies identified by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and other available research-based resources.

In other words, the Resilient Communities: South Dakota initiative intends to provide a technical framework to support community coalitions to prepare, know, prevent, respond to and sustain multi-sector efforts to address  childhood maltreatment and its impacts across the lifespan.

There is hope! Child maltreatment IS preventable; however, neighborhoods, systems and communities must work together to build resiliency opportunities. The vision of Resilient Communities: South Dakota is to provide coalitions with the tools, support, and statewide resources so that they are better able to know about, respond to and prevent child maltreatment in their communities.

ACES

An important component of Resilient Communities: South Dakota is increasing awareness of the impact of early trauma and maltreatment. Studies show that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) have a direct impact on an individual’s nervous system, which creates long-term health and at-risk behavior linked consequences. 

By preventing adverse childhood experiences and maltreatment, we can prevent risk behaviors and health outcomes that impact our South Dakota families and communities across their lifespan.

How to Get Involved