About the TCCMS
Translational Center for Child Maltreatment Studies (TCCMS)
Advancing Science. Transforming Policy. Improving Lives.
Child maltreatment, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, remains a critical public health issue, impacting an estimated 12.5% of U.S. children by age 18 and costing the nation approximately $428 billion annually. Despite decades of policy reform, rates of child maltreatment have not significantly declined, with more than 3.5 million children referred to Child Protective Services (CPS) each year. The impacts are profound and far-reaching, leading to higher rates of homelessness, poor educational attainment, criminal justice involvement, chronic health conditions, mental health challenges, and intergenerational cycles of trauma.
Admin Core
Led by Christian M. Connell, Ph.D. (Penn State HDFS) with co-investigators D. Max Crowley, Ph.D. (Penn State HDFS, Public Policy, and the Prevention Research Center) and Taylor Scott, Ph.D. (Penn State Prevention Research Center), the Admin Core provides centralized leadership and infrastructure for TCCMS. This core supports the center’s operational needs, coordinates large-scale research projects, and promotes workforce development through mentorship and training. It also enhances cross-sector collaborations to translate research into meaningful policy change and promotes the primary prevention of child maltreatment through innovative demonstration projects.
Resource Core
Directed by Christian M. Connell, Ph.D. (Penn State HDFS), Hannah Schreier, Ph.D. (Penn State BBH), and Sheridan Miyamoto, Ph.D. (Penn State Nursing), with support for Brian Allen, Psy.D (Penn State, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health), the Resource Core is responsible for creating and disseminating innovative tools, resources, and evidence-based solutions for practitioners, policymakers, and the public. This core leverages cutting-edge communication strategies to extend the reach and impact of TCCMS research, ensuring that data and insights are accessible to diverse audiences, supporting transparency, and promoting data-driven decision-making.
Dissemination and Outreach Core (DOC)
Co-led by Christian M. Connell, Ph.D. (Penn State HDFS) and Sarah Font, Ph.D. (Penn State Sociology, Criminology, and Public Policy), with co-investigator Ezra G. Goldstein, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech School of Public Policy), the DOC bridges the gap between science and practice through community-based research and practice. The DOC works closely with local, state, and national partners to elevate practice-relevant research, fostering collaborations to improve outcomes for children and families.
Click here for more information about TCCMS Cores.
Research Projects
Project 1: Child Health Study
Led by Hannah Schreier, Ph.D. (Penn State BBH), with co-investigators Idan Shalev, Ph.D. (Penn State BBH), Eric Claus, Ph.D. (Penn State BBH), and Yo Jackson, Ph.D. (Penn State Psychology), this project builds on TCCMS’s foundational work in longitudinal cohort studies. The Child Health Study follows a prospective cohort of 700 children (525 with histories of child maltreatment, 175 controls) through the critical transition to adulthood, examining malleable biological and psychosocial mechanisms that can mitigate the impacts of early trauma. This work aims to identify pathways to resilience and recovery, providing actionable insights for interventions that can improve long-term outcomes.
Project 2: SAFE-T Center Adolescent Study
Led by Sheridan Miyamoto, Ph.D. (Penn State Nursing), with co-investigator Damon Jones, Ph.D. (Penn State Prevention Research Center), The SAFE-T Adolescent Study introduces the SAFE-T model, a clinical trial designed to expand access for adolescents to high-quality forensic evaluations through telehealth. This nurse-led, sexual abuse forensic examiner assistance program addresses critical service gaps in rural and underserved communities, enhancing the quality of forensic care and supporting trauma recovery for youth.
Project 2 (Concluded): Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma Study
Led by Kent Hymel, M.D. (Penn State Pediatrics), this project aimed to improve the early identification and evaluation of abusive head trauma (AHT) in pediatric intensive care settings. AHT is the leading cause of traumatic death and disability among infants and young children, affecting an estimated 690,000 children annually in the United States. The project focused on reducing missed diagnoses and improving clinical decision-making to prevent further harm to vulnerable children.
The study included an implementation trial of a validated clinical decision rule (CDR) for AHT screening across eight pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) sites nationwide. These sites, matched into four intervention-control pairs, represented varied patient populations and care settings. The CDR was designed to be applied at or near the time of PICU admission, using four highly reliable predictor variables to identify high-risk patients who should undergo comprehensive abuse evaluations.
This project demonstrated that systematic, evidence-based screening can significantly improve early detection, reduce discrepancies in care, and lower healthcare costs, while enhancing the quality of care for young, acutely head-injured patients.
Join Us in Making a Difference
TCCMS is committed to advancing the science of child maltreatment prevention, supporting trauma survivors, and fostering the next generation of leaders in child welfare research. Together, we can reduce the incidence of child maltreatment, enhance recovery for those affected, and create a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
For more information about our work, research initiatives, and partnership opportunities, explore our projects or reach out to our team.