One of the most common, inexorable questions asked when discussing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or traumatic stress: “So, what do I do about it?"

The answer to that questions is as complex and unique as the communities and structures in which we all live. There is no single tool or resource that could address the wide range of needs related to traumatic stress present in a community. Existing resources include curricula, community-based intervention frameworks, conversation guides, presentations, and a host of other materials. To date, there has been little effort to consolidate a comprehensive list of the existing and desired resources which might benefit a state in responding to ACEs. This project is our response to that gap and will continue to be a living, dynamic body of knowledge that can and should be expanded upon as the science behind this work and these practical applications continue to mature and grow.

The project is being developed with input from the Central Iowa ACEs 360 steering committee, other partners around the state of Iowa, and feedback from national leaders who have been instrumental in the development of ACE activities in Iowa. The responses included in the project were identified through a process of discussion and discovery and should be considered part of a cadre of responses which, if used together systematically, form a dynamic, community-wide approach to addressing childhood adversity and trauma.

The project will be released in early 2015. Please watch for information here and on www.IowaACEs360.org. Caitlin Suginaka, MPH, is the lead in the development of the project (caitlin.suginaka@gmail.com).