I felt inadequate and ill-prepared to speak to licensed mental health professionals about ACEs. But when I was asked to attend the 40th Annual Training Institute on Behavioral Health & Addictive Disorders in Clearwater, Florida to represent ACEs Connection, I was honored and eager. My background is in health planning, not mental or behavioral health. I review health data and look for gaps and inequities. My time is spent looking for and addressing the health needs of a community. So,...

By Jack P. Shonkoff and David R. Williams, Center on the Developing Child, April 27, 2020 The COVID-19 virus is ruthlessly contagious and, at the same time, highly selective. Its capacity to infect is universal, but the consequences of becoming infected are not. While there are exceptions, children are less likely to show symptoms, older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions are the most susceptible, and communities of color in the United States are experiencing dramatically...

Shannon has over 25 years experience working with children in preschool and after school settings. Originally from Boston, Shannon holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology as well as an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Since moving to Florida in 2000, she has built a career working in the early intervention field with ages 0-5, as well as working with truant teens as a case counselor in child welfare and currently as the Behavior Specialist for the YMCA of the Suncoast.

Jennifer - Thank you so much for going and introducing ACEs Science to an audience that deals with the impact of Childhood Trauma 24/7! It is good to get the word about root cause to the people who are in such a position to make a difference in getting the word to their clients: It's not "what's wrong with you and why do you do that," it is "what happened and how can I help." As a person in recovery myself, I know the guilt and shame that come along with "unmanageability." I have seen the...

Dr. Mimi Graham will be a guest speaker at Charlotte County's year-end virtual stakeholder meeting Thursday, November 5, 2020. " Dr. Mimi Graham, is Director of Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy, a center of excellence in trauma, infant mental health, human trafficked pregnant teens, and policy & best practices during the pivotal first 1,000 days of life. She pioneered a statewide infant mental health movement building clinical capacity,...

The Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County (DOH-Charlotte) is pleased to announce that the 2021-2023 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is complete and now available. Healthy Charlotte, an initiative of the Department of Health in Charlotte County, composed of local community agencies and county residents, has come together to address Adverse Childhood Experiences through the community's health improvement plan. Recent data on child abuse and neglect, opioid/substance abuse,...

Apply for a Scholarship In this new video PJI Director, Rachel Allen shares some exciting information regarding what you can expect at the upcoming Conference! Register for the Conference Conference Overview: The Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College, the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, the Creating a Resilient Community Network and Title Sponsor, Orlando Health, are excited to invite you to register for the Third Annual Creating a Resilient Community (CRC): From Trauma...

Good morning PACEs Connection! One of the ways our local community is working to raise awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is through an upcoming week-long awareness campaign in November. We are collaborating with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) through various media campaigns and we need YOUR HELP ! We would like to get brief testimonials of positive childhood experiences. They can be: 20-30 second video clips of you, friends, or family (that would like to participate),...

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...

Good morning PACEs Community, Today begins a full week-long campaign of raising awareness about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) that make all the difference! Visit the Healthy Charlotte Facebook page throughout today and each day this week to find more videos like the one below: https://youtu.be/1YEuiwHVpoY #JOINTHEVILLAGE! #CharlotteCountyACEsAware2021

Positive Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Shared. They make all the difference! #CharlotteCountyACEsAware2021 #JOINTHEVILLAGE !