Childhood exposure to toxic stressors and traumatic events negatively impact the development of the child’s brain and increases the risk of poor coping skills and cognitive impairments (Daly, 2015). Adverse Childhood Experiences study found that exposure to one or more ACE’s highly affects children overall physical and mental well-being (CDC, 2021). Although 9 in 10 children receive regular medical care focused on physical concerns, only 1 in 3 pediatric professionals report having specialized training to treating and diagnosing children with mental disorders (CDC, 2021). Although healthcare professionals are focused on referring to specialized treatment providers in the behavioral/mental health sector there is still a gap with trauma informed and trauma practicing providers (Daly, 2015).
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can result in poor mental health outcomes related to domestic violence, anxiety, substance use disorders, depression, and suicide. In Central Florida there is a lengthy waiting list for school aged students to attain mental health services. .A trauma informed project in Orange County, Florida is proposed as a preventative and early intervention to mental health barriers currently affecting the well being of Orange County Public School students. To address these needs, ACE’s program aims to support OCPS students with an ACE score by screening for ACE’s, offering educational forums, and facilitating after school program with trauma informed activities.The target audience for trauma informed prevention and intervention are youth ages (5-17) attending Orange County Public Schools and their parent or caregivers who reside in Orange County, Florida. Youth who have had a recent mental health diagnosis and are currently on a waiting list for mental health treatment and resources will be linked to trauma informed/ACE’s resources and support groups.
Project activities will include ACE’s screening and education forums for parents of youth in OCPS with high ACE scores and risk factors. Learning sessions with trauma informed films, panels, and Behavioral Health/Public Health speakers addressing ACE’s and prevention will be hosted at Orange County Public Schools on a weekly basis. Once parent and caregiver are aware of their ACE scores they will be linked to providers, resources, support networks, and community events as a preventative and early intervention approach. There will be biweekly support group gatherings for parents addressing behavioral or mental health concerns with their children. Another project activity focused on engaging our youth will entail offering weekly mental health programming involving yoga classes or using expressive art techniques as a healing tool an extracurricular activity option. Students will have the opportunity to participate in yoga classes and learn breath work, mindful movements, and meditation.
As a trauma informed project to build awareness for ACE’s and prevent mental and other chronic illnesses, the SAMHSA principle of safety will be addressed by ensuring that every educational forum and community support group is a safe and stable environment. Program participants are encouraged to participate but also given an optional consent to engage or simply listen. Public health aims to utilize preventative and early intervention frameworks while addressing mental health need and barriers. The purpose of programming is to ensure that students, parents, and community with an ACE score higher than one are addressing the complexities that may arise with their health instead of waiting for much serious consequences as a preventative approach. By engaging in listed activities they will have gained a minimum of 5 coping skills and be at less risk for higher levels of care for mental or physical concerns.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, April 2). Adverse childhood experiences (aces). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...tion/aces/index.html
Crandall, A. A., Miller, J. R., Cheung, A., Novilla, L. K., Glade, R., Novilla, M. L., Magnusson, B. M., Leavitt, B. L., Barnes, M. D., & Hanson, C. L. (2019). Aces and counter-aces: How positive and negative childhood experiences influence adult health. Child Abuse & Neglect, 96, 104089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104089
Daly, S. (2015). The body keeps the score: Mind, brain and body in the transformation of Trauma Van der Kolk Bessel the body keeps the score: Mind, brain and body in the transformation of trauma 443PP £25 penguin 9780241003985 0241003989. Emergency Nurse, 23(3), 11–11. https://doi.org/10.7748/en.23.3.11.s11
Hutchins, H.J., Barry, C.M., Wanga, V. et al. Perceived Racial/Ethnic Discrimination, Physical and Mental Health Conditions in Childhood, and the Relative Role of Other Adverse Experiences. ADV RES SCI 3, 181–194 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42844-022-00063-z
King, L. (2023, March 20). Trauma-informed Approach Overview and Trauma-informed Principles [Module 11]. University of Florida Trauma Informed Approaches for Individuals, Communities, and Public Health, Gainesville, FL. A Trauma-Informed Approach Overview and Principles (ufl.edu)Links to an external site.
Prevent Child Abuse America. (2021, September 9). ACES/Vital Signs Report Resources & Talking Points. Prevent Child Abuse America. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://preventchildabuse.org/...-Esy2fcaAuLFEALw_wcB
The social-ecological model: A framework for prevention |violence prevention|injury Center|CDC (2022) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...ecologicalmodel.html (Accessed: March 3, 2023).
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