PIERRE, S.D. — Hundreds of professionals from across South Dakota and the surrounding region are expected to gather Oct. 2–3 for the 25th Annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference, an event aimed at improving child protection efforts and educating front-line workers on abuse prevention strategies.
The conference, held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, will provide continuing education and specialized training for professionals in education, medicine, law enforcement, social work, mental health, the legal field, and other youth- and family-serving sectors. Community members and child advocates are also encouraged to attend.
Organizers say the event is designed to foster collaboration among multidisciplinary teams responding to child abuse cases, while also sharing the latest research, strategies, and cultural perspectives in child protection.
Keynote speakers for the 2025 conference include:
- Gaelin Elmore, a national speaker and belonging expert, with his talk “Be the Difference: Belonging is the Support We Need”
- Tifanie Petro, Victim Services Director for the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office, presenting “Hope in Action: Turning Struggle into Strength”
- A panel of providers leading “Parenting Pathways: Real Talk with Real Providers”
Breakout sessions will explore a variety of critical topics, such as:
- Honoring Lakota Ways to Protect and Uplift Children with Damon Leader Charge
- Apply Brain Science to Work as Frontline Professionals with Audra Fullerton
- Mastering the Stand: Best Practices for Testifying as an Expert Witness in Criminal Trials with Sarah Thorne
- Building Developmental Relationships with Vulnerable Youth with Ali Teesedale and Dana Martens
Registration is now open, with special pricing for students.
The conference is co-hosted by South Dakota’s Unified Judicial System Court Improvement Program, Child’s Voice at Sanford Health, and the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment at the University of South Dakota.
More details and registration information can be found at SDCPCM.com/Conference.
