South Dakota communities play a key role in supporting families and ultimately in ending child abuse and neglect.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month and the state Department of Social Services is asking schools, faith-based organizations, businesses and community groups to consider how they can partner with families to safeguard child health and well-being.
DSS Secretary Laurie Gill says child abuse in any form is entirely unacceptable and preventing it requires an all hands on deck commitment to protecting children. She says supportive and connected communities are vital to providing an environment where children and families can flourish.
Some ways communities can make meaningful engagement with families a priority include:
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Promoting access to positive parenting resources;
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Endorsing messages that reduce the stigma around seeking and receiving help;
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Creating parenting mentorships or support groups;
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Looking for opportunities to give parents a voice on supports they need; and,
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Sharing the warning signs for child abuse and neglect as well as prevention tools.
DSS offers services including free parenting classes all across the state, and resources to help parents struggling with mental health, drugs or alcohol to help prevent abuse before it starts.
To report child abuse or neglect, please call 1-877-244-0864. Specialists are available 8am- 5pm, Monday through Friday. If reporting an emergency situation outside of normal business hours or on the weekend or holidays, please contact local law enforcement.
To learn more and to find resources, go to dss.sd.gov/childprotection/nationalchildabuse.
Image credit US Department of Health and Human Services.
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