In 2015, Dr. Beth Pletcher, a pediatrician and associate professor specializing in genetics, was at the annual conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics in Washington D.C. when she heard two speakers that forever changed her work with medical students. Dr. Beth Pletcher “I went to two talks on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that were so mind-boggling to me that I decided on my drive back to New Jersey that I had to do something about it,”says Pletcher, director of the Division...

This list of ACEs-related internet resources is intended for primary care practices and people seeking to engage them in using an ACEs lens and trauma informed approaches. it includes links to introductions to ACEs, self-care, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statements and resources and other information about trauma-informed approaches. Self-Care Protecting Physician Wellness: Working with Children Affected by Traumatic Events , Part of the Trauma Toolbox for Primary Care,...

American Psychologist invites submissions for a special issue on "Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Translation to Action." A special issue on the topic of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is intended to articulate critical concepts, to demonstrate the significance and relevance of psychological research and practice, and to catalyze further efforts to develop effective programs and policies that reflect current science. The goal of this special issue is to publish articles that...

By Steve Davis and Peter Laugharn, July 29, 2019 The Seattle Times The World Health Organization just unveiled an initiative that could improve millions of children’s lives and boost the global economy by trillions of dollars. The initiative, known as the Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development , [ PDF attached ] seeks to change how we raise infants and toddlers. Children’s experiences during their first three years of life heavily influence their well-being as adults,...

AS pediatric health-care providers, one of the most powerful tools we can pull out during exams is not a piece of medical equipment, but a book. Investments in a child’s earliest months and years offer the best chance for all children to succeed in life, but not every child has the same access to those investments. Washington state has been missing opportunities to ensure every child goes to school ready to learn. We have 23,000 children who are eligible for the state’s Early Childhood...

An ACEs Connection webinar co-sponsored with 4 CA In 2017, California became the first state in the country to pass a law supporting universal screening for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the 5.3 million children in the state’s Medicaid program. As clinicians around California await the state’s announcement of what this new policy will entail, many are wondering what it takes to integrate ACEs science in a pediatric practice. Meet Drs. Deirdre Bernard-Pearl, R.J. Gillespie and...

Jondi Whitis posted: Can someone please point me to the right place/space to post these resources? I found the events section, and posted an event for schools there, but I cannot yet find a place that I might post with integrity a wonderful book resource for Nurses, by Holistic Nurse Terry Maluk, Rx for RNs , and a place for my own labor of love, Compassion in Action: Emotional First-Aid for Children , strategies for helping children better weather troubling times. I would love folks to find...

Whether or not to screen for ACEs in primary care is an important debate—and I hear and respect the passion from both sides of the argument. I fall in the “pro-ACE assessments” camp, but with some important caveats. I think that assessments for ACEs are dramatically different from screening for autism or developmental delays. In my opinion, assessments for ACEs in primary care should be primarily about building relationships.

Thank you to Aidan Phillips from the WAVE Trust for his excellent and engaging presentation for attendees of our monthly Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) call for March. The information he shared is invaluable as we continue our work to influence change at the national level through the National Trauma Campaign . If you were unable to join, would like to watch again, or want to share with others, you can find the call recording here . Additionally, if you would like...