Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood such as abuse, neglect, violence, substance abuse, death of family member or witnessing any of these.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019

Videos About Adverse Childhood Experiences

Overview of how the link between ACEs and future health problems was made and what communities are doing to address this problem.  Closed Captioned, 4.49 minutes.
University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development explain the factors that influence brain development.  Closed captioned, 5:48 minutes.
Pamela Cantor, M.D., President and CEO of Turnaround for Children explains the science of adversity and how we can use this information to design better learning environments to help all children reach their full potential.  Closed Captioned, 9:41 minutes.
Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains that ACEs have real, tangible effects on both the development of the brain and physical health. Closed Captioned, 16.02 minutes.

46.3%of all children in the US have experienced 1 or more ACEs. (Bethell et al., 2017)

6 out of 8Hoosier youth have a higher prevalence than their peers nationally in six out of eight ACEs.   (Indiana Youth Institute, 2020)

16,324In 2018, there were 16,324 substantiated allegations of child abuse or neglect in Indiana. (Indiana Youth Institute, 2020)

More Information About Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

ACEs Connection Network 
A group to share ideas on mitigating the effects of adverse childhood experiences in the K-12 environment.
https://www.pacesconnection.com/g/aces-in-education

ACE Interface 
Training, consultation and support in the ACE concepts and community applications.
http://www.aceinterface.com/index.html

CDC-Kaiser ACE Study
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/about.html 

MI State Trauma Informed Care Toolkit
List of resources and supports for organization and individuals facing trauma
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/TI_Toolkit_Resources_484512_7.pdf

National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative
Educational materials and supports for those responding to child traumatic stress.
https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma

National Child Traumatic Stress Network/School Personnel
Fact sheets and educational information for educators supporting students with traumatic stress.
https://www.nctsn.org/audiences/school-personnel

The National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health
Georgetown University provides modules and learning materials centered around trauma informed care.
https://gucchd.georgetown.edu/TraumaInformedCare/ 

Paces Connecton - NJ Resiliency Coalition 
ACE Interface ACEs Training Presented by The Office of Resilience
https://www.pacesconnection.com/g/NJ-Resiliency-Coalition/blog/ace-interface-aces-training-presented-by-the-office-of-resilience 

Stress & Early Brain Growth: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences
Handout for parents developed by Community & Family Services Division, WA explaining how ACEs affect health and how parents and caregivers can support children.
https://www.menominee-nsn.gov/CommunityPages/FosteringFutures/Documents/ACESHandoutForParents.pdf

Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative
Collaboration of Massachusetts Advocates for Children and Harvard Law School to provide tools for schools to help traumatized children learn.
https://www.traumasensitiveschools.org/about-tlpi/

Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development
Child Welfare Information Gateway explain the brain effects of maltreatment and the implications for practice and policy.
https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/brain_development.pdf

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Trauma Sensitive Schools Initiative
Learning modules and implementation tools designed to help schools incorporate trauma sensitive practices.
https://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/mental-health/trauma