Organizations Partner to Train on Child Abuse Prevention
With more than 400 South Dakotans attending, the 26th Annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference takes place on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Oct. 5, 2026
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, via email or 605-773-2031
Organizations Partner to Train on Child Abuse Prevention
PIERRE, S.D.—With more than 400 South Dakotans attending, the 26th Annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference takes place on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
The attendees represent 130 regional organizations, schools and businesses and will hear from national and regional speakers on topics related to child abuse response and prevention. The conference includes a variety of professionals, volunteers and advocates: 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:
- “Resilience and Redemption: The Power of Determination and the Spirit of a Child” by Derek Clark
- “Post Traumatic Growth, What the Dolphins Taught Me” by Frank Grijalva
- “Resilience & Adaptability: Strategies to Thrive Through Change” by Mike Kutzke
Conference participants can choose from multiple breakout session opportunities. Examples of additional learning opportunities include:
- “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
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 online.
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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.