Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood from the ages of 0-17. The three main categories of ACEs are abuse, neglect, and household challenges.

ACEs are associated with an increased risk of injury, STIs, maternal and child health problems, involvement in sex trafficking, and a wide range of other serious conditions such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health problems, substance use disorders, and suicide (CDC).

Examples of ACEs

  • Witnessing domestic violence

  • Neglect

  • Incarcerated parents

  • Living in a home with substance misuse

  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

  • Living with someone who has a serious mental illness

  • Losing a parent through divorce, death, or abandonment

Why is preventing ACEs important?

  • By preventing ACEs, up to 1.9 million heart disease cases and 21 million depression cases could have been avoided.

  • Women with four or more ACEs are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing health issues that are leading contributors to pregnancy-related deaths.

  • A 10% reduction in ACEs in North America could equate to an annual savings of $56 billion.

  • At least 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death are associated with ACEs.

*Source: CDC
0%
Adults in the U.S. who reported experiencing at least one ACE
*Source: CDC
*Source: TN Commission on Children and Youth

Why raise awareness about ACEs?

Change how people think about the causes of ACEs and who could help prevent them.

Shift the focus from individual responsibility to community solutions.

Reduce stigma around seeking help with parenting challenges, substance misuse, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

Promote safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for children.

*Source: CDC

Building Resiliency in East Tennessee

Because of the lasting impact of ACEs on a child’s emotional and physical wellbeing, it is imperative to identify ACEs as early as possible. Metro Drug Coalition has developed a program for ACEs training and screening implementation in pediatric primary care & OB/GYN practices that will allow providers to assess and identify ACEs in their patients.

By identifying ACEs as early as possible, mitigation strategies can assist families in getting the services they need and provide support for parents who may be exhibiting the negative impact of their own history of traumatic events. Prevention education is key, and this approach will help reduce the transmission of trauma from parent to child.

Learn about preventing ACEs by improving sleep, nutrition, & mental health, building supportive relationships, and more.

Get the ACEs screening protocol,  tips for administration, patient resources, and more.

Brave Beginnings

The Brave Beginnings program helps new moms build a community with their peers, build confidence and skills to prevent cycles of trauma related to adverse childhood experiences, and gain connections to essential community resources. Through Positive Childhood Experiences, new moms can create positive and healthy childhoods for their children.

What we do:

  • Peer support groups
  • Short-term case management
  • Courses about positive childhood experiences
  • Free screenings
  • One-on-one support
  • Community resource referrals

Learn how many adverse childhood experiences you had growing up. You will need this number to refer yourself.

If you believe you could benefit from joining the Brave Beginnings program, click here to refer yourself.

Refer a patient or client who could benefit from Brave Beginnings.