Children’s Day at the Capitol will give advocates a chance to share information with lawmakers and the public on best practices to help know about, respond to, and prevent childhood maltreatment. CPCM’s sponsors will staff a vendor fair discussing programs that seek to reduce and eliminate instances of child abuse and neglect.
The January 20 event begins at 9:30 a.m., with Children’s Day attendees visiting with lawmakers and sitting in on legislative committee meetings. A vendor fair will begin at 9:30 a.m., in the Capitol Rotunda, with child advocacy organizations providing information on preventing child maltreatment.
At 11:30 a.m., Department of Social Services Secretary Laurie Gill will welcome Children’s Day participants. Sara Sheppick of DSS will then speak on the Stronger Families Together initiative to recruit foster and adoptive families who partner with families to improve parenting and help reunite them with their children.
The public and lawmakers are invited to a lunch at noon in the Capitol Rotunda. At 2 p.m. Children’s Day will be announced in the House and Senate. At 4:30 p.m. lawmakers and the public are invited to a screening of the movie “Starting at Zero” at the Discovery Center in Pierre.
The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment, Early Learner SD and Children’s Home Society of South Dakota have partnered to organize the event. Children’s Day at the Capitol is an opportunity to inform the public, lawmakers, government staff and other advocates about work to promote the wellbeing of South Dakota’s children and families.
“Children’s Day provides an opportunity for organizations to educate our legislators and the public on the important work happening in South Dakota communities,” said Carrie Sanderson, director of CPCM. “We can all come together to support our children.”
Media are invited to attend. CPCM Director Carrie Sanderson will be available for interviews.
Sponsors of Children’s Day include Child and Adult Advocacy Centers of South Dakota, Call to Freedom, Child’s Voice (Sanford), Children’s Home Society of South Dakota, Delta Dental, the South Dakota Department of Social Services, Early Learner South Dakota, South Dakota Afterschool Network, South Dakota Head Start Association, the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and the University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences. More information on these sponsor organizations and links to the resource fair are available here: 2022 Children’s Day at the Capitol – Center for the Prevention of Childhood Maltreatment (sdcpcm.com)
Children’s Day Schedule
- 9:30 a.m.: Legislative committee meetings and vendor booths open
- 11:30 a.m.: Welcome by Social Services Secretary Laurie Gill
- Speaker: Sara Sheppick, Department of Social Services
- 12:00 p.m.: Lunch in the Rotunda – the public is invited to attend
- 2 p.m.: Children’s Day Announced in House and Senate Chambers
- 4:30 p.m.: Movie Screening: “Starting at Zero” at the Discovery Center
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD MALTREATMENT
The Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment works to support and strengthen efforts across South Dakota to identify, respond to and prevent child maltreatment. CPCM is housed at the University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
USD’s School of Health Sciences is a national leader in interprofessional health sciences education. South Dakota’s comprehensive School of Health Sciences develops scholars, practitioners and leaders in health and human services, including addiction counselors, dental hygienists, health science practitioners, medical laboratory scientists, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physician assistants, public health practitioners and social workers.