Considering the Unintended Consequences of ACEs Screening [chronicleofsocialchange.or]

I wanted to start an ASCA support group here as part of our trauma informed community initiative but I am moving downstate.  I guess I will start one there.  I did do some of the online support from the American ASCA and I thought their online site was very good.  They have great moderators and are very supportive with each other (especially when you are having those times when you are feeling very down --- but like anything --- sometimes it can be triggering too).  But overall I thought the USA ASCA was very good at least as far as the online support group.  

ASCA - Adults Surviving Child Abuse

HI Tina,

I'm not familiar with the San Francisco manual.  I will have to take a look at it. Thanks!

The "ASCA" initials made me think at first that you meant American School Counselor Association, which I think is helpful in building resilience in children, but as far as I know, does not have a trauma informed lens yet. Looks like good progress is being made in Australia!

Yes thank you, Leslie!  Thank you for the links.  ASCA is the one and only organisation I know that addresses trauma (particularly adult)  in the progressive manner there needs to be, in Australia. I must repeat: the only one I know!! The practice guidelines are great.  The president, Dr Cathy Kezelman, seems right on the ball and has had a lot to say to the media, etc involving the Royal Commission that's still ongoing in Australia about institutional sexual abuse.  I have spoken to her on the phone and she mentioned she has had some dealings with Dr V Felliti and believes in the importance of ACEs, etc awareness.   As usual there seems to be a lack of consistent funding, so there was crowdsource funding to continue the survivor's trauma workshop. That's how tight the budget is! ASCA is based in Sydney and so they have to fly around Australia to deliver their programs.  I get a lot of quizzical looks when I ask those in the relevant health field, and indeed the psychology department of a uni, when I have asked about ACEs, ASCA etc etc!!

I have tried to look into Australian Childhood Foundation.  Like ASCA there seems to be valuable recognition of child trauma etc but it's not having enough impact, as far as I see it, throughout the health systems and into mainstream acknowledgement.  Media coverage of course would help...Here in South Australia, our Premier (what's that you say!) has made a commitment to extra funding with early childhood development.  There is a recognition generally speaking, I guess, it just doesn't seem loud or effective enough at penetrating into the relevant health agencies yet alone mainstream consciousness...

I feel a little patriotic, so I have to add, we do do some good things in Australia given our small population and therefore smaller resource budget.  We don't have the research base, etc that you do in America.  It just seems more work with TIC, ACEs screening etc is needed here and that cost$...!

This is all only my opinion of what's happening in Australia.  I embrace any corrections any Australians may have!

Hi Mem,  thanks for your comment!  Interesting perspective on Australia because I have found so much good written work from Australia on trauma informed care but admittedly don't know how it translates to practice or how widely it is known.  A group called Adult Survivors of Child Abuse has written an excellent set of guidelines on treating complex trauma - you can find it here https://www.asca.org.au/About/WHAT-WE-DO/ASCA-Practice-Guidelines.aspx.  I've also found good materials produced by this group the Australian Childhood Foundation.  Hope these are helpful.

Leslie

Coincidentally Patrick Anderson also posted this link recently.  I rather passionately responded to him!  The frustration of a seemingly slow progress, especially in Australia, of the acknowledgement and importance of ACEs etc, can make one impatient.  The US seems way ahead on this.  But then again, I should remember it does entail a groundswell of people to create such a need/movement as you also mentioned with your link to social change...!