W. Va.- As we approach the two-year mark of COVID-19’s inception, many are beginning to ask themselves how living through a global pandemic might be affecting us long term. More importantly, how is it affecting our children?
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Coalition of West Virginia (WV)hopes to answer this imperative question and provide the necessary data, resources, and strategies to overcome and prevent adverse effects the COVID-19 pandemic has on children. The Coalition started as a grassroots effort five years ago and is comprised of more than 400 different organizations and individuals from diverse child-serving professions across the state.
This year, the Coalition became its own 501-c3 nonprofit organization and continues to gain momentum as the go-to for trauma-informed practices.
The first installment of a Five-Part ACEs and COVID-19 Issue Brief Series will be released statewide this week in partnership with WV KIDS COUNT. This first installment, “ACEs and COVID-19 Overview: Caring for Kids During and After a Pandemic” will introduce the connection between ACEs and COVID-19 on child well-being.
The series will combine the expertise of Coalition members in their respected fields representing WV KIDS COUNT, Inspiring Dreams Network, Marshall University, WV Department of Education, Supreme Court of Appeals of WV, TEAM for WV’s Children, Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center, and more.
The briefs will examine primary COVID impact areas such as health, education, policy and family connections, as well as offer useful information for those who work with and care for kids.The series will highlight how COVID-19 may be affecting children’sACEs scores. It will delve into identifying protective factors that can help prevent childhood adversity, as well as strategies for building resilience for those who have experienced trauma.
Coalition member Dr. Carol Smith of Marshall University stated, “Family issues, money concerns, and health losses created by COVID-19 create a kind of stress that has yet to be named, studied, or measured. It could be a new category of Adverse Childhood Experiences.”
Brief 2:COVID-19’s Impact on Educating West Virginia’s Kids Challenges, Opportunities and Coping Strategies for Teachers and Mentors Released on February 4, 2022
Brief 3:Policies that Put Kids First Recommendations for Policymakers Released on April 8, 2022
Brief 4:Caregivers, KIDS and COVID-19 What Parents, Grandparents, Foster Parents and Other Caregivers Can do to Help Released on June 3, 2022
Brief 5:A Family-Centered Approach to Service and Resource Delivery Amid a Pandemic Recommendations for Child Serving Professionals Released on August 5, 2022
All briefs will be made available on the ACEs Coalition website, https://www.wvaces.org/resources, as well as on West Virginia KIDS COUNT’s website, www.wvkidscount.org, and the West Virginia ACEs Coalition website on PACEs Connection. For information about the Coalition or other questions regarding this press release, please contact Tricia Kingery, ACEs Coalition of WV Coordination Team at kingery@kingeryandcompany.com or (304) 205-5685. Also, check out WV ACES Coalition and West Virginia KIDS COUNT social media pages.
The ACES Coalition of West Virginia recently became its own 501-c3 nonprofit organization. It includes over 400 different organizations and individuals working together to improve the health and well-being of all West Virginians by reducing the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and preventing their occurrence. ACEs are defined as potentially traumatic events in the areas of physical abuse, neglect and household dysfunction that occur in childhood (0-17 years). ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance use problems in adulthood. ACEs can also negatively impact education, job opportunities, and earning potential. However, ACEs can be prevented.
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