Hundreds of South Dakotans Trained on Child Abuse Prevention

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Oct. 15, 2026
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, via email or 605-773-2031

Hundreds of South Dakotans Trained on Child Abuse Prevention

PIERRE, S.D.—More than 400 professionals in the child advocacy field attended the 26th Annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference held Oct. 8, 2026, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. 

The conference provided professional training and educational opportunities for child protection workers, teachers, medical professionals, dentists, law enforcement, social workers, mental health providers, youth service providers, the legal community, community members and child advocates.
Presenters discussed topics relevant to the well-being of children and families including:

• “Trauma and Stressor Disorders 101: Diagnosis, Screening, and Treatment Foundations” by Nikki Eining and Aimee Deliramich
• “The Stories We Believe: How Self-Worth Drives Behavior and Healing” by Cara DeHaan
• “Connection Before Direction: Building Trust to Improve Victim Outcomes” by Tifanie Petro and Jessica Broullire

The conference was opened with messages from Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen and First Lady Sandy Rhoden, as well as song and prayer led by Inyan Hocoka Singers from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. 

Derek Clark, speaker and author, opened the conference with the keynote “Resilience and Redemption: The Power of Determination and the Spirit of a Child,” his personal journey that emphasized the resilience that allowed him to overcome brutal trauma. 

The Outstanding Service Award was presented to Dr. Nancy Free, Child’s Voice at Sanford Health. Dr. Free has dedicated 22 years to Sanford Child’s Voice, including the past 15 years serving as medical director, where her leadership, compassion and clinical expertise have shaped the standard of care for countless children and families. She has been instrumental in building and sustaining a safe, trusted and child-centered environment where healing can begin and justice can be pursued. 

In addition to her work at Sanford Child’s Voice, Dr. Free serves as the medical director at Avera St. Mary’s Central South Dakota Child Assessment Center in Pierre, expanding her impact across the state and ensuring that children in rural and underserved communities also receive high-quality, specialized care. Her commitment to bridging gaps in access is a testament to her tireless advocacy and vision for equitable healthcare. 

Beyond her medical leadership, Dr. Free has played an active role on numerous critical committees and task forces, including the Human Trafficking Task Force, Sexual Assault Response Team and several multidisciplinary teams. Through this service, she brings a collaborative and systemic approach to addressing the complex issues of child abuse, exploitation and assault—ensuring that prevention, intervention and healing are advanced at every level. 

Dr. Free is also a highly sought-after educator and presenter, having delivered countless presentations across South Dakota and beyond. She had provided training and education to medical professionals, law enforcement, social service providers and community organizations, raising awareness about child abuse and trauma-informed care. Through these presentations, she has empowered professionals to recognize, respond to and prevent abuse, multiplying her impact far and beyond her own practice. 

Even with these demanding roles, Dr. Free dedicates her limited free time to the next generation of physicians as a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of South Dakota. Through her teaching and mentorship, she instills not only medical knowledge, but also the values of compassion, integrity and service in future pediatricians. 

Conference co-hosts included Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment at the University of South Dakota, South Dakota Unified Judicial System’s Court Improvement Program and Child’s Voice at Sanford Health.

Learn more details about the conference.

—30—

About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more about UJS.