Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as child abuse and neglect, can lead to negative psychological, social and physical outcomes later in life – and can even affect future generations. New and exacerbated stressors during the pandemic underscore concern for the risks and long-term health effects of ACEs, particularly for groups already disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Certain interventions can help mitigate negative outcomes from ACEs and prevent them from occurring in the first place. This presentation will provide an overview of ACEs, including considerations during the pandemic, and examples of policies and practices to prevent them and reduce their harmful effects.

The Power of Preventing ACEs

Presented by Dr. J. Bart Klika

• Summarize the literature on the impact of ACEs on health and wellbeing
• Describe a comprehensive public health approach to preventing ACEs
• Discuss the evidence for policy-level strategies for prevention of ACEs

Dr. J. Bart Klika is the Chief Research Officer with the national organization Prevent Child Abuse America and a research faculty at Florida State University College of Social Work. Prior to joining PCAA, Dr. Klika was an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Montana. His research examines the causes and consequences associated with child abuse and neglect in an effort to prevent its occurrence. On multiple occasions, Dr. Klika served as a research consultant for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) examining issues related to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. In 2011, he was selected for the inaugural cohort of fellows for the Doris Duke Fellowship for the Promotion of Child Well-Being, a national fellowship providing support and mentorship for doctoral students seeking innovations in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Dr. Klika is on the national Board of Directors for American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and is the chair of the APSAC prevention and publications committees. Recently, Dr. Klika served as the senior editor for the APSAC Handbook on Child Maltreatment (4t h Ed.). Dr. Klika serves as an Associated Editor for the Journal of Interpersonal Violence.

Ending Corporal Punishment As ACE Prevention - NO HIT ZONES

Presented by Randell Alexander, MD, PhD

• List at least 3 countries that have banned corporal punishment.
• Describe some of the adverse effects of hitting on the brain
• Describe some of the adverse long term health effects of hitting
• List some of the components of a No Hit Zone

Randell Alexander, MD, PhD is Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Florida, Chief of the Division of Child Protection and Forensic Pediatrics. He is on the International Advisory Board for the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, on the board of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC),  and on the board of the Academy on Violence and Abuse. He served as Vice-chair of the US Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, was on the boards of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and Prevent Child Abuse America (formerly the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse). Randy has served on state and local child death review committees in Iowa, Georgia and Florida. He was chair of the Committee on Child Abuse for the Georgia and Iowa chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics and currently chairs the Committee in Florida. He has extensive interests in all forms of child abuse, particularly shaken baby syndrome, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, prevention, and child death review. Randy has authored numerous articles, chapters, and books and lectures frequently in the US and other countries.

When Faith Hurts: Recognizing and Responding to the Spiritual Impact of Trauma

Presented by Victor Vieth, JD

• Recognize the impact of abuse on spirituality
• Discuss the role of spirituality in coping with abuse
• Identify concrete steps for coordinating medical, mental health, and spiritual care resources for a victim of child abuse

Victor Vieth has trained thousands of child-protection professionals from all 50 states, two U.S. Territories, and 17 countries on numerous topics pertaining to child abuse investigations, prosecutions and prevention. Victor gained national recognition for his work in addressing child abuse in small communities as a prosecutor in rural Minnesota, and has been named to the President’s Honor Roll of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. In 2012, Victor was awarded the Pro Humanitate Award from the North American Resource Center for Child Welfare.

Victor is the Director of Education and Research of the Zero Abuse Project, a 501©(3) public charity based in St Paul, MN, committed to education, training, and survivor support in order to eradicate child sex abuse and remedy its resulting harms. He is the 2018 President of the Academy on Violence & Abuse, and founder of the former National Child Protection Training Center (now part of Zero Abuse Project). Victor has been instrumental in implementing 22 state and international forensic interview training programs and dozens of undergraduate and graduate programs on child maltreatment.

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