Monday, November 15^th, 2021 marks the launch of Charlotte County’s ACEs awareness week to raise awareness about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and to highlight the importance of fostering Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) in the lives of our children and youth.

Last year, the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners granted an ACEs awareness county proclamation; however, still in the throws of COVID-19 precautions and response, our community was unable to celebrate the proclamation with the adequate pomp and circumstance it deserved. As a result, we would like to take the opportunity this year to bring attention to the issue of ACEs and promote one of the principal ways to counter the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences – resilience; the understanding that it takes one consistent and stable adult in a child’s life to help buffer the daily challenges they face (whether that be a parent/guardian or a non-blood relative).

During this week, we will hear from individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages who share their positive childhood experiences and the impact these experiences have had on them throughout their lives.

Each day, we will challenge you, our community, to be intentional about how you interact with those around you, and we will feature the work of our community agencies and businesses that have committed themselves to combatting child abuse & neglect and cultivating a community that nurtures, protects, and supports every member from birth to beyond.

Some of the ways you can participate in ACEs awareness week starting today:

1. Share this press release with your family, friends, and colleagues. Spread the word so more individuals in your inner circle and community know about what’s going on in our community this week. Feel free to use the hashtag #JOINTHEVILLAGE!

1. Register to watch FREE online movie screenings of Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope and One Nation Under Stress hosted by our partners, the Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida (HPCSWFL).

Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Click the link or scan the QR Code to register:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkce-rpj4jE9Y4xLr64HslD2-Ftz0Y028c

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One Nation Under Stress

Friday, November 19, 2021

Click the link or scan the QR Code to register:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrduCrqjwjGdMDS0aRzMLTB3KQLU_F9Dnw

1. Visit the Healthy Charlotte County Facebook (or meta?) page each day and watch the daily video of PCEs!

1. Like, Share, and Do the daily “Break the Cycle” challenge!

1. On each post of the Healthy Charlotte FB page, feel free to share your own positive experiences you remember from childhood. Each day will feature a post to allow you to share what you remember and how it impacted your life.

1. And most of all, be ACEs aware! Delve deeper to understand more. Explore great resources such as: Home | PACEsConnection | Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (cdc.gov) | Home | ACEs Aware – Take action. Save lives.

For more information, visit HealthyCharlotteCounty.org, www.facebook.com/CharlotteCountyCHIP, or call 941-624-7200 ext. 7326 or email us at HealthyCharlotte@flhealth.gov.