CPCM to Host First Virtual Childrens Day at the Capitol
Due to social distancing precautions, CPCM pivoted its planning to create virtual opportunities for lawmakers and the public to have one-on-one time with Children’s Day sponsors. The event is a culmination of a weeklong legislative focus on children’s wellbeing that began with the Early Learner South Dakota Forum held Jan. 25-27.
Carrie Sanderson, director of CPCM, said that while COVID-19 posed a challenge to hosting Children’s Day and curtailed the events of many organizations, CPCM used it as an opportunity to experiment with event planning and provide vibrant information delivery on efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.
“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 Sanderson. “We can all come together to support our children. Going virtual is a creative way for many groups to get information to policy makers while staying safe.”
Sponsors of Children’s Day include the USD Child and Adult Advocacy Studies graduate certificate program, Call to Freedom, Child’s Voice (Sanford), Children’s Home Society of South Dakota, the South Dakota Division of Child Protection Services, Early Learner South Dakota, South Dakota Afterschool Network, South Dakota Kids Count, Child Advocacy Centers of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault.
More information on these sponsor organizations and links to the resource fair are available at the Children’s Day at the Capitol – Center for the Prevention of Childhood Maltreatment (sdcpcm.com) webpage.
Children’s Day Schedule
- 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Pop-Up Resource Fair
- 11:30 a.m.: Lunch in House and Senate Lobbies
- 2 p.m. Children’s Day announced in House and Senate Chambers
- 3:30 p.m.: Reporting Abuse and Neglect in South Dakota presentation
- 5 p.m.: Children’s Home Society presents Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Training on Zoom
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.
