Geisinger awarded Children’s Trust Fund grant to expand child sexual abuse prevention efforts in Northumberland County

Danville, PA – Geisinger has been awarded funding from Pennsylvania’s Children’s Trust Fund, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, to lead a three-year community-based initiative focused on preventing child sexual abuse in Northumberland County. The project began July 1 and will combine Children’s Trust Fund support with matching contributions from Geisinger Health Foundation’s Beyond the Bricks initiative and the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.  

Led by Erin VanEnkevort, Ph.D., assistant professor in Geisinger’s Department of Population Health Sciences, the project will bring Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® training program to adults throughout Northumberland County. The evidence-informed program equips adults with the knowledge and skills to recognize, prevent and appropriately respond to child sexual abuse.  

Over the three-year grant period, Geisinger plans to train approximately 290 adults, including school personnel, youth-serving community organizations, faith-based groups, childcare providers, coaches, YMCA staff and parents. The initiative, which will be rolled out in phases, is designed to strengthen community awareness, build protective environments for children and increase adults’ confidence in taking action when concerns arise.  

“Meaningful prevention happens in partnership with communities. This project reflects our commitment to community-engaged research and implementation, ensuring that local organizations, residents, and stakeholders are active partners in creating safer environments for children.” says Dr. VanEnkevort. 

Child sexual abuse remains a significant public health concern, with long-term consequences for physical, emotional and social well-being. Geisinger’s project focuses on primary prevention — helping adults recognize risks and create safer environments before abuse occurs. The training curriculum teaches participants five key prevention strategies: understanding the facts about child sexual abuse, creating safe environments, reducing communication barriers, recognizing warning signs and responding responsibly to concerns.  

Northumberland County was selected as the initial focus of the project because of its documented need and because of relationships built through UNITY (Upstream Planning and Prevention of the Cycle of Child Maltreatment), a regional collaborative effort that brings together healthcare, education, child welfare and community partners to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen families.  

Geisinger researchers will evaluate the program’s impact by measuring changes in participants’ knowledge, awareness and child-protective behaviors. The team also plans to examine community-level indicators, including reporting patterns and other outcomes related to child sexual abuse prevention and intervention.  

“Preventing child abuse and protecting children is a shared community responsibility. Children deserve continuing community connections, like churches, schools, neighborhoods, doctors and dentists, and other watchful eyes to keep them safe,” said Pat Bruno, MS, MD, FAAP, a Geisinger pediatrician specializing in child abuse. “Each of us has a part to play. Raising happy, healthy children is good for everyone. Prevention is possible.” 

By building a network of informed and empowered adults across schools, organizations and families, Geisinger and its partners hope to create lasting community-level change that helps keep children safe and strengthens the systems designed to protect them. The project may also serve as a model for future expansion to other counties across central Pennsylvania.  

About Geisinger College of Health Sciences
Educating. Inspiring. Leading. At Geisinger College of Health Sciences, we bring innovation and purpose together to educate the next generation of healthcare leaders. As the academic and research arm of the Geisinger family, our college was founded to enhance and improve community health, with a focus on discovery, hands-on learning and applied practice across our system. Today, we offer a research institute, graduate medical education, schools of medicine, graduate education and nursing, and faculty and professional development programs. Visit geisinger.edu/gchs.

The College is committed to nondiscrimination in all employment and educational programs or activities. Concerns or questions may be directed to the Title IX coordinator whose contact information is available at geisinger.edu/titleix.