Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic experiences, such as abuse and neglect, which can result in toxic stress and have a profound effect on a child’s developing brain and body. Toxic stress, unlike manageable stress, refers to the long-term changes in brain architecture and organ systems that develop after extreme, prolonged, and repeated stress goes untreated.

Research over the last two decades confirms that children carry the effects of childhood experiences into adulthood. Childhood exposure to adverse experiences increases risk for lifelong health and behavior problems, such as cancer, stroke, and depression. Exposure to ACEs puts our children at higher risk for learning difficulties, emotional problems, developmental issues, and long-term health problems.

The County urges the following actions:

• Support evidence-based solutions to reduce exposure to ACEs by supportinginitiatives that improve and enhance screening for ACEs, address impacts ofthose experiences, invest in preventive health care and mental health andwellness, and provide local support for community partnerships addressingACEs.
• Cosponsor the Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act (SenatorsHeitkamp (D-ND), Durbin (D-IL) and Franken (D-MN)). The legislation wouldestablish a task force of federal officials and tribal agencies to identify bestpractices for the identification, referral, and support of children and families thathave experienced trauma. The legislation would also create an eligible use offunding for training in trauma-informed best practices.