Near Record Number of South Dakotans to be Trained on Child Abuse Prevention on October 2

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 25, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us, 605.773.2031

Near Record Number of South Dakotans to be Trained on Child Abuse Prevention

PIERRE, S.D.—With more than 400 South Dakotans attending, the 25th annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference begins on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. 

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:

• “Be the Difference: Belonging is the Support We Need” presented by Gaelin Elmore, speaker, trainer and belonging expert
• “Parenting Pathways: Real Talk with Real Providers” panel discussion by Nancy Rather, Sanford Health; Lisa Blake, Common Sense Parenting; Keith Ferguson, Black Hills Special Services Cooperative; Kari Ewalt, Positive Indian Parenting; Connie Hermann, Black Hills Special Services Cooperative; and moderated by Ashley Schlichenmayer-Okroi, South Dakota Department of Social Services
• “Hope in Action: Turning Struggle into Strength” presented by Tifanie Petro, victim services director, Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office

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

• “Utilizing Tribal ICWA and CPS Task Forces and States of Emergency for Optimal Outcomes and to Exercise Sovereignty: A Case from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the ICWA Coalition of Sioux Tribes” presented by Alicia Mousseau, Susan Schrader, Jessica Morson and Shaina Johnson
• “Community in Action: Creative Prevention Strategies for Safer, Healthier Youth” presented by Connie Kaufman, Matt Yost, Kelsi Stricherz and Mike Keller
• “Trauma-Informed Social Policy” presented by Tallie Casanova
• “Mastering the Stand: Best Practices for Testifying as an Expert Witness in Criminal Trials” presented by Sarah Thorne
• “Understanding the Building Blocks of Attachment” presented by Karen Rieck

Conference hosts are South Dakota Unified Judicial System’s 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. 

—30—

Conference Schedule and Interview Opportunities:

• 8 a.m. CDT, Thursday, Oct. 2: Opening General Session – Gaelin Elmore Keynote Address, Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2
• 12:30 p.m. CDT, Thursday, Oct. 2: Lunch Award Presentation – Presentation of Outstanding Service Award, Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2

Conference co-host representatives will also be available throughout the conference:

• Sara Kelly, South Dakota Unified Judicial System
• Amanda Liebl, Child’s Voice at Sanford Health
• Chrissie Young, Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment

Facts and Information:

• Child sexual abuse impacts our economy—a $9.3 billion estimated economic burden of child sexual abuse, including costs associated with health care, productivity losses, child welfare, etc.
• Online predation is a growing problem. Researchers have observed a threefold increase in self-generated imagery depicting seven to 10-year-olds.
• Child sexual abuse material is a public health concern. Exposure to child sexual abuse material at an early age can be defined as an adverse childhood experience.
• The individuals attending have dedicated their professional life preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Adults with an ACE score of four or more are 12.2 times more likely to have attempted suicide and 7.4 times as likely to consider themselves alcoholic.
• Approximately 21% of children in South Dakota reported an ACE score of two or more.
• More than 80% of juvenile justice-involved youth report experiencing trauma.
• The average age of a victim when they are first involved in sex trafficking is 12 years old.  
• Professionals at this conference either work to treat victims of traumatic experiences, investigate harm being done, or work to prosecute those who are causing that harm.
• Conference sessions provide continuing education credits so these professionals can relicense and continue to serve populations in need.

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 at https://ujs.sd.gov.