Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a profound impact on children’s development, increasing risk for chronic disease and mental illness. The Support, Connect, and Nurture (SCAN) project was developed to address the impact of ACEs on the health and well-being of children and families in Pueblo, Colorado. Located at Southern Colorado Family Medicine Residency Clinic (SCFM) and in partnership with Catholic Charities Diocese of Pueblo, the SCAN intervention included the following components: (a) providing families with a clinic-based Family Development Specialist, (b) connecting families with evidence-based, community parenting programs and other support resources, and (c) providing routine office visits enhanced through educated healthcare and administrative staff. Adult patients received education about risks associated with ACEs, protective factors that can help reduce ACEs’ impact, and resources available in the community that may help support their family, such as parenting and nutrition programs. The program provides services to women receiving prenatal care and parents of children age birth to 17.
Chapin Hall conducted a study of the SCAN intervention over 3.5 years. The study included 899 adult patients and 23 health clinic staff who participated in the intervention from October 2015 through March 2019. The study assessed the experiences of patients and clinic staff, predominantly medical residents. At the patient-level, the extent of ACEs, resiliency and resource needs were assessed, and telephone interviews were conducted to understand more about participants’ experiences. Health visit data from electronic health records (EHR) were also used to examine patients’ health care utilization, specifically the use of the emergency department, and follow-through with scheduled health care visits before and after receiving SCAN (visit compliance). Clinic medical residents completed a pre-post training survey, and participated in a group interview during the last year of the study.
To read the full report by Julie S. McCrae and Tiffany Burkhardt, please click here
Comments (0)