Hello, I am part of a group implementing ACES screening in a Federally Qualified Health Center. This will involve situating a BA-level screener, employed by a non-profit, in the clinic with referral to SafeCare and messaging/engagement throughout the clinic. I've read everything online about physician experiences doing this (wonderful resource), and it's mostly positive. I would like to hear about lessons learned? Trouble spots? Suggestions (wish I had done X?). Thank you!
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Hi, Julie:
We'll include your request in the next daily digest. And we'll be really interested to see how ACEs screening works in your center.
Thanks!
Cheers, Jane
I am curious at the FQHC who will your screener be primarily screening.
Adults
Parents of Children
Teenagers
Pregnant Mothers
(all comers)
That makes a difference. But also a letter to the effect that we screen all patients because new research shows that adverse experiences in childhood result in medical and mental health concerns and we want to provide the best care for our patients so this history is important to us and will be kept confidential. Also is this screening to identify patients who could benefit from mental health care???? I am curious because I haven't seen ACEs screening used in mental health (but I have used it extensively with parents bringing in children for behavioral health concerns to get an idea of the parents risk due to their childhood but also take the relevant questions to present risk -- for example domestic violence, mental illness currently, addiction currently, physical abuse currentlyâĶ you really cannot ask the parent of sexual abuse currently in the pedi patient obviously you are a mandated reporter and no one would answer that or they would bring in the child specifically for that reasonâĶ..
Anyway those are a few questions I have and thoughts.
Let me know. I am kind of interested in finding a group of ACEs screeners. This is important work to meâĶ And there isn't lots of interest here.
We kind of got the SEEK (safe environment for every kid) not totally in place but at least there is a large awareness. --- Howard Dubowitz University of MarylandâĶ.
Thanks Tina
Hi Tina and Jane,
Thanks so much for your responses. Our program is called SCAN - Score, Connect and Nurture - named before I had heard of SEEK and has the different focus of childhood ACES,...we will screen all parents with newborns and children up to age 5 who access the outpatient clinic. We expect about 400 screenings in our pilot which begins July 1. Tina, I really like your idea of a letter indicating the screening - is this in your intake paperwork? Or a mailing/posting? Thanks, Julie
The pediatricians at the Children's Clinic in Portland include an introduction to the ACEs screening they're using for parents of four-month-olds. You can find more information here.