SoDakPCTN Project Summary / Abstract The purpose of the South Dakota Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (SoDakPCTN) is to leverage the enthusiasm and growth in pediatric research over the last decade to build capacity and skills in clinical trials. This momentum was developed through active collaborations over the past two decades in community-based research with tribal nations, health clinics and hospitals to help improve the health of children in South Dakota. While South Dakota has been a regional leader in large scale longitudinal multi-site observational studies (e.g., Safe Passage Study, ECHO pediatric cohort), opportunities to participate in pediatric clinical research have been limited. SoDakPCTN will be housed within the Avera Health system, a large health system comprised of 300 locations in 100 communities throughout South Dakota and areas of the four surrounding states. The Avera Health system includes 35 hospitals and 34 community and critical access hospitals. The Avera health system and partners are ideally suited to conduct high quality pediatric clinical trials that specifically reach rural, frontier, and American Indian (AI) populations across South Dakota. The Center for Pediatric and Community Research (CPCR) at Avera has worked to establish a robust pediatric research infrastructure that allows for large - scale longitudinal studies that already occur within clinics, hospitals and communities across the state, with offices in Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Pine Ridge. SoDakPCTN will be built around three specific aims. First, build upon existing pediatric research infrastructure to create a collaborative environment that supports state -of-the-art pediatric clinical trials in inpatient, outpatient, and community-based settings. Second, support career development for junior investigators and research staff in conducting pediatric clinical trials through mentorship, professional development opportunities, and introduction to potential hospital, clinic, and community partners. Third, using a community engaged approach, develop research dissemination strategies and translate research findings to clinical and community stakeholders to improve knowledge and practice.