The following statement on new ACEs screening in California, from the steering committee of the California Campaign to Counter Childhood Adversity (4CA), is also available as an attachment to this post. 4CA is a network of organizations committed to educating policymakers and advocating for policies that address childhood adversity.
Our state has taken bold steps to prevent and mitigate the consequences of childhood adversity for our children and families. Recent investments makes California a leader in the nation on this issue. Governor Newsom has shown his commitment by including $45 million towards ACEs screening and has made significant appointments to his administration in support of children, including Kris Perry as Deputy Secretary of Early Child Development and our first-ever Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, who has a mandate to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and social determinants of health.
Our legislature has also shown leadership in advancing bills that address childhood adversity. We want to thank Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula and Assemblymember Rob Bonta for their authorship on Assembly Bill 340, which led to the formation of the Trauma Screening Advisory Workgroup.
As a result of this alignment, California will become the first state to require and pay for ACEs screening for children and adults.
We also acknowledge the work of all the advocates that form the California Campaign to Counter Childhood Adversity (4CA). Our successes to-date are also due to your efforts to raise awareness and advocate for policies that address childhood adversity, strengthen protective factors, and build resilience in communities across our state.
Of course, our work as advocates is not done yet. We need to support the effective implementation of the ACEs screening program by educating our policymakers and advocating for screening coupled with (1) provider training, resources and guidance, (2) care coordination and referral systems, and (3) provider supplemental payments for ACEs screening. We also need to continue advocating for increased investments in primary prevention strategies that promote and enhance protective factors, including education for parents and caregivers on childhood adversity and toxic stress, strengthen economic support for families, and provide high-quality early education.
We hope you join the movement to improve the health and wellbeing of children, families and communities across our state!
Sincerely,
4CA Steering Committee Members
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