Where the ACEs Movement Is Now – and Where It Needs to Go

Today, we hear from one of our long-standing members, Craig Beswick, Vice President of School and Workforce Development with Lifelong Learning Administration Corporation.

Craig reflects on how far the movement has come, where important gaps remain, and why a revitalized PACEs Connection can help reconnect people, ideas, and practice across the field.

When the ACE Study was released in May 1998, it was Dr. Vincent Felitti and Dr. Robert Anda’s dream to have the ripple effect of the largest public health study in our nation expand through healthcare nationally and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here we are, twenty-eight years later, with that reality still growing towards fruition, with millions of people unaware of the ACE Study. For the thousands of us in the weeds, we reflect often on the Return on Investment and will continue to be doggedly determined to advance the research.

Here’s a video of Craig and Dr. Felitti reflecting on the ACE Study, Transitioning from Trauma-Informed to Trauma-Resilient:

Excitedly, when the Positive Childhood Experiences research was released in September 2019, Dr. Christina Bethell and Jane Stevens collaborated and rebranded to PACEs Connection. This balance of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Positive Childhood Experiences changed the course of history.

The imperative of a renewed PACEs community matters now more than ever as it has been embraced by countless entities, organizations, and individuals.

Ultimately, this will be supported by an online, global platform serving leaders on the front line of healing-centered systems change.

We know the staggering impacts of global turmoil, the rising costs of living, and how even more children, youth, families, and elders are suffering in our neighborhoods and communities.

There is tremendous eagerness for a relaunched trusted PACEs platform that will provide resources, connect individuals with other like-minded people and others in their fields of practice, while providing opportunities for continued learning together, which is paramount.

Fresh excitement is building! And PACEs Connection’s revitalization is actively underway.