BROOKINGS, S.D.(KJJQ)- Brookings County is the first “Resilient Community” in the state of South Dakota. The award recognizes the County’s efforts to help children and families deal with and recover from traumatic experiences. It’s the culmination of a nearly two-year process.

The Resilient Communities designation was created by the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment and its partners to help address factors that put children at risk for abuse and neglect. Carrie Sanderson is the Center’s director and made the presentation Wednesday.

Brookings Representative Tim Reed spoke on the importance of these efforts. He says preventing childhood trauma and abuse can have long lasting effects.

Reed is currently president of the Advisory Board for the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment.

Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson says they have implemented a program that is a direct result of this coalition.

As part of the Resilient Communities plan, individuals, organizations and businesses have been invited to take the Brookings County Resiliency Motivator pledge.